We have a lot to report out on this week. We are saddened to share that the Alaska Department of Health and Social Science (DHSS) has issued a Public Service Announcement due to a recent death in Alaska from Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning. The full announcement is attached to the weekly email. Please take a few minutes to read this announcement, it includes important information from DHSS and resources regarding the harvest of wild shellfish in Alaska. As always you can contact us with questions as well, and Rosie has set up virtual office hours this Friday, July 17th, 9 to noon to take questions over the phone. KBNERR’s office is still not open for in person visitors, so please reach out via phone: 907-235-1598 or email: jrmaurer@alaska.edu or rmmasui@alaska.edu
We also have results to share from our wild shellfish toxin testing program. The wild blue mussels came in well below the regulatory limit; however, the toxin level in the butter clams was near the limit considered safe for consumption. We will continue to monitor wild shellfish and report out results as they become available to us.
For more information on this Phytoplankton Update and the Qualitative Analysis of Phytoplankton Data, click here.