The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is issuing urgent notices over increased illegal shellfish harvesting around B.C. -- particularly in contaminated areas near Nanaimo and the Sunshine Coast.
Almost 3,000 lbs of clams were seized between June 13th and 17th, with $600 in fines handed out. As well $2,300 in tickets for over limits of Horse Clams was issued in the Powell River area.
Elysha Gordon, Co-ordinator for the Pacific Region's Shellfish Sanitation Program, says illegal harvesters have been active in areas that are closed for sanitary reasons. Eating shellfish from there could lead to gastrointestinal issues, and expose you to hepatitis and norovirus.
Shellfish are also being taken from areas closed due to the presence of a dangerous bio-toxin:
"In areas that are closed for biotoxins, such as paralytic shellfish poisoning, also referred to as redtide, this is more extreme in that you can have symptoms that range from a tingling sensation or numbing around the lips, face and neck, to paralysis of respiratory muscles leading to death in extreme cases."
Gordon says cooking the clams will not kill the biotoxion.
DFO officials are concerned the large numbers of clams being seized mean they are being used for commercial purposes, and there is a risk they could make their way into restaurants and stores.
Shellfish harvesters are urged to check whether it's safe to harvest. There are several ways to check on shellfish closures which are update frequently:
Meantime the DFO says those caught purchasing, selling, trading or bartering seafood caught in a closed fishery could face fines as high as $100,000, and/or up to two years in jail.