Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries: Clam and Cockle Biotoxin Update

Press Release

Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries Department monitors shellfish biotoxin levels at a number of shellfish harvesting sites in the territory. Mussel samples from biotoxin monitoring stations are sent for analysis at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) lab every week. Target harvest species (Butter clams, cockles) are submitted when available.

Acceptable results must fall below 80μg STXdiHCl/100g for an opening to occur according to CFIA guidelines. See below for the most recent information on the sites we monitor. Pearl Harbour – Butter clam samples collected on October 27, 2015 tested higher than acceptable limits (170μg STXdiHCl/100g). A CFIA harvest opening cannot be issued at this time. Lax Fisheries will submit additional butter clam samples at next available tide and continue to monitor the situation.

Stumaun Bay – Samples were not available during the October low tides. Lax Fisheries will collect samples at the next available tide.

Canoe Pass – Butter clam samples collected on October 28, 2015 tested higher than acceptable limits (170μg STXdiHCl/100g). A CFIA harvest opening cannot be issued at this time. Lax Fisheries will submit additional butter clam samples at next available tide and continue to monitor the situation.

Steamer Pass – Cockle samples collected on October 28, 2015 tested within acceptable limits. An opening was issued on November 6, 2015. Lax Fisheries will continue to submit biweekly samples to monitor the situation.

NOTE: All samples are initially submitted whole. We will be submitting siphonless samples at the next available tide and release results as they become available.

Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries understands that butter clams were harvested by Lax Kw’ alaams members at recent tide events. It is recommended that harvesters and consumers take extreme caution when dealing with clams and cockles and ensure to ALWAYS REMOVE

SIPHONS. For more information, please contact Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries at 250-627-8509.

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