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Mussels. (Photo: Sernapesca)
Shellfish harvesting areas closed due to red tide in Chiloe
CHILE
Monday, January 25, 2016, 22:50 (GMT + 9)
The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) and Health SEREMI in Los Lagos Region confirmed the presence of harmful algal blooms (HAB) of amnesic shellfish poison (ASP) in the fisheries sector of Teupa, Terao, Lemuy Island south area, Lincay and Detif, province of Chiloe.
This phenomenon, popularly known as red tide corresponds to algae blooms that in their metabolism generate a toxic type substance, called in this case Pseudonitzchia australis. This produces negative effects on the health of filter feeding molluscs that consume it.
"We have five collection areas near Chonchi, Puqueldon, Lemuy Island closed for having toxic levels, which implies that 29 centres had to stop their harvests, following Sernapesca’s order," Sernapesca regional director, Branny Montecinos, said on Friday.
He also noted that they are intensively monitoring six closed areas "to verify that there aren’t levels of toxin that may put at risk the population health."
For his part, the head of Chiloe Provincial Office, Health SEREMI Los Lagos, Cristian Araneda, said that the call is directed mainly to shore shellfish harvesters, because in that natural bank area artisanal fisheries do not catch.
In addition, Montecinos stressed, "It is a small portion of about 27 or 28 centres of a total of more than 700 mussel production centres in the region, so we want to reassure the public on that this issue involves a limited sector, and consumption elsewhere is safe."
Both authorities called on the population to consume seafood in established places, and reminded them that cooking does not eliminate the toxin.
To preserve shellfish safety, Sernapesca and Health SEREMI have a constant monitoring system for both export and domestic market products.
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