Toxins found in local shellfish (From Western Telegraph)

Toxins found in local shellfish

A temporary ban has been placed on the harvesting of shellfish from the upper reaches of the Milford Haven Waterway.

The temporary prohibition order (TPO) has been issued by Pembrokeshire County Council following consultation with the Food Standards Agency (Wales).

The affected area stretches from Picton Point to the Cleddau Bridge and warning notices have been placed at appropriate locations.

The TPO has been issued following the routine sampling of shellfish carried out by the county council's port health officers.

The results of mussel samples taken from Coedcanlas Spit identified a typical diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP).

This can be caused by marine biotoxins produced by phytoplankton accumulated in the tissues of shellfish. If these species are then consumed by humans, toxin-related illness could occur.

An intensified sampling programme will now begin. The TPO can only be lifted when two consecutive negative samples have been obtained.