Shellfish harvesters

The original cases of AZP were reported in the Netherlands in 1995 and were associated with eating mussels harvested in Ireland (McMahon and Silke, 1996, 1998). AZP in humans has been reported throughout Europe since 1995, and azaspiracids have been found in shellfish harvested in Spain, France, and northern Europe (James et al., 2002 Magdalena et al., 2003a). 

One example of a successful monitoring program is that coordinated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, mentioned earlier. Because the monitoring program includes analyzing seawater and shellfish for K. brevis and brevetoxin concentrations, respectively, and because emergency-response plans require authorities to close shellfish harvesting when the shellfish become toxic, the incidence of NSP in Florida is low. 

The most striking example is perhaps the 1972 New England red tide which caused extensive shellfish harvesting closures in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, the latter two states having no previous history of shellfish toxicity (32). In the more than 10 years since that event, Massachusetts has had PSP-related closures every year (14). 

Consider a coastal inlet with a single source type as a concern wastewater discharges. Two such discharges with effluents of a similar composition exist. Three habitats characterize the region the subtidal basin, the shoreline, and river deltas. The assessment endpoint of concern is contamination of shellfish harvested by local residents. These shellfish include clams harvested in the shoreline habitat and crabs harvested in the subtidal areas. The relative risks to the endpoint are determined through the following process ... 

Deficiencies at the sewage treatment plants such as volume limitations related to designed capacity of a plant under adverse weather conditions such as heavy rainfall allow the discharge of large amounts of unprocessed waste waters. In addition, the periodic breakdown in particle removal or inadequate disinfection can deliver human enteropathogens into shellfish-harvested waters (Rippey, 1994). 

Topical application can provide local anesthesia and restrict bleeding The consumption of shellfish harvested during a red tide (due to a large population of a di-nollagellate species) is not recommended. This is because the shellfish are likely to contain (A) Arsenic... 

McNabb, P. and Holland, P. Using LCMS to manage shellfish harvesting and protect pnblic health, in Molluscan Shellfish Safety NilAafbn, A., Regnera, B., Romalde, J. Beiras, R., Eds., Xnnta de Glaicia and IOC of UNESCO, 2003, pp. 179-186. 

Recent studies indicate that fecal coliforms are not reliable predictors of the presence or absence of pathogenic viruses in marine waters and shellfish [17,56,58,79,104]. Even where a significant relationship has been foimd between the presence of enteroviruses and fecal coliform bacteria (e.g.. Ref. [82]), the relationship was not very strong. Consumption of oysters harvested from waters approved for shellfish harvesting based on fecal coliform bacteria levels has been associated with outbreaks of hepatitis A [86]. 

Microbiological Criteria for Shellfish-Harvesting Waters in the United States (USEPA, NSSP)... 

Microbiological Parameter For Shellfish-Harvesting Water To Be Classified as Approved or Conditionally Approved For Shellfish-Harvesting Water To Be Classified as Restricted or Conditionally Restricted... 

Chigbu, P., Gordon, S., and Tchoimwou, P.B. (2005). Seasonal patterns of fecal coliform bacteria pollution and its influence on closures of shellfish harvesting areas in Mississippi Sound. Int.. Environ. Res. Public Health 2 362-373. 

Croci L, Cozzi L, Suffredini E, Ciccaglioni G, Toti L, Milandri A. Characterization of microalgae and associated bacteria collected from shellfish harvesting areas. Harmful Algae 2006 5 266-74. 

Fig. F-16. Some examples of shellfish harvested by fishermen. (Courtesy, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada)...

Ballentine, C. (1985). Pollution narrows shellfish harvest. FDA Consumer. February 10-13. 

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