Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Gulf Region, wants to inform the population of north-eastern New Brunswick that the area closed to fishing for bivalve molluscs has been expanded and now includes the mouth of Miramichi Bay facing Northumberland Straight. The closure is due to the presence of a toxin known as paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). The fishery is closed in accordance with the prohibition order mentioned below, issued pursuant to subsection 3(1) of the Management of Contaminated Fisheries Regulations, in the following shellfish area:

Prohibition Order No.: GTN-2008-004

Fishing for bivalve molluscs is prohibited in the waters inside a line drawn from grid reference 363513 5214640 located near Escuminac Point, seaward to grid reference 365234 5215272, northward to grid reference 366404 5247713 then eastward to grid reference 355781 5247963 located at Chamberlain’s Point, East of Brantville.

The species of bivalve molluscs affected by this closure include oysters, soft shell clams, bar clams, razor clams, quahaugs and mussels. Scallop fishing is not affected by this closure.

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning are neurological and normally appear within an hour of eating toxic shellfish. They include tingling and numbness of the mouth, lips and fingers, abdominal pain, and muscular weakness. In the most severe cases, it can lead to respiratory paralysis and death.

The area is closed to fishing bivalve molluscs by DFO on the recommendation of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) after tests results showed high toxin levels. The prohibition order can only be lifted after test results show acceptable toxin levels.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning is caused by naturally occurring toxins which are accumulated by molluscan shellfish during their normal feeding activity.