Red Tide Quick Facts dangerous, even lethal, levels if they are eaten. In How do I know the shellfish are safe to Massachusetts, the concern is that the neurotoxins ✔ Red tide shellfish closures and openings are the harvest and eat once the closure is can cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). lifted? responsibility of the Division of Marine Fisheries However, the toxin does not affect the shellfish Only safe shellfish are allowed to go to market. Any (MarineFisheries) themselves, and when the bloom diminishes, they closure is lifted only after testing indicates shellfish ✔ Red tide blooms are natural phenomena that will eventually rid themselves of the toxin and will are safe to eat. occur in marine waters along the Massachusetts once again be safe to eat. coastline. Blooms over a large geographical area How do I find out if a shellfish area is are unusual. How is red tide detected? open or closed? ✔ Because of the extensive monitoring system All shellfish-producing states have monitoring To be certain always check with the local shellfish during a bloom episode, it is safe to eat any programs that test the water for cells and shellfish constable, local shellfish department or visit the shellfish and all other seafood that is served at for toxin. MarineFisheries has an extensive PSP PSP monitoring program of the MarineFisheries local restaurants and sold at markets monitoring program, which remains vigilant and Shellfish Sanitation and Management Program at: ✔ Cooking will not rid the shellfish of the red tide expands its testing in spring, summer and fall when these “blooms” may occur. www.mass.gov/marinefisheries toxin! or call the Red Tide Hot Line at ✔ Beach activities, including swimming, are For more information visit the Shellfish Sanitation (978) 282-0308, option 6. perfectly safe during a red tide bloom. and Management Program at: www.mass.gov/marinefisheries What are the symptoms of Paralytic Remember: Under no circumstances should Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)? any individual harvest shellfish from any area Does red tide affect all seafood? Symptoms include tingling and numbness of the lips, closed to shellfishing! NO. Due to differences among species and their tongue, and extremities, drowsiness, giddiness, and/ role in the food web, many species of seafood are or unsteadiness, vomiting and diarrhea. In extreme What is Red Tide? perfectly safe to eat during a HAB. Typically, in cases, respiratory arrest and death can result. Massachusetts only the harvest of shellfish and Red tide is the name loosely used to describe a If symptoms are observed call 911. The victim may carnivorous snails is prohibited. Unless specified bloom in marine waters of single cell microscopic need artificial respiration and CPR. In most cases in a public notice, all other species of seafood algae which contain both red pigments and harm- after receiving treatment, patients fully recover. (e.g. lobster, fish) remain safe to eat. ful neurotoxins. Very dense blooms can discolor the Note: Suspected cases of PSP should be reported to water with a reddish tint. Scientists prefer the term Is the seafood I’m buying in the store or MA Dept. Public Health, Bureau of Environmental harmful algal bloom (HAB). These “blooms” occur Health, Food Protection Program at: (617) 983-6712. during favorable environmental conditions. The restaurant safe to eat? organism that causes a red tide bloom here in the YES. Seafood dealers and restaurants are well aware Can I still go to the beach? Can I swim? Northeast is known as Alexandrium fundyense. of closures and may either change their menus or What if I swallow water? Usually blooms are confined to the more northern purchase shellfish from open areas. HABs are closely Yes you can still go to the beach and swim. PSP Gulf of Maine, however a hurricane in Sept. of 1972 monitored, with closures enacted well before toxin does not affect swimmers. The toxin is only and two nor’easters in May of 2005 brought the red levels reach dangerous levels. MarineFisheries dangerous when it is consumed and has been tide into warmer Massachusetts waters, where the provides MA Dept. Public Health with environmental concentrated, such as by shellfish, and does not blooms intensified. PSP monitoring data to assist the Food Protection pose a danger to bare skin. Also, unlike red tides in Program with ensuring food in the marketplace is other areas of the South Atlantic, this toxin does not Why are shellfish areas closed when safe. cause respiratory problems in or near the water. there is a red tide? Finally, the toxins are not concentrated enough to Certain species of marine organisms, such as Can I cook toxic shellfish and make hurt a swimmer who may swallow a little seawater. shellfish, feed on a variety of microscopic algae they them safe to eat? collect by filtering large quantities of sea water. NO. Cooking will not make the shellfish safe to eat. Is the water red? During harmful algal blooms the shellfish consume The toxin will remain in the tissue and will remain During extreme HABs by red tinted species, the sea the red tide algae containing neurotoxins. These toxic. water color can turn red or rusty. In Massachusetts, neurotoxins are stored in the digestive tract and the blooms are typically not dense enough to viscera of the shellfish, and can accumulate to change the color of the sea water.

Remember: Under no circumstances should any individual harvest shellfish from any area closed to shellfishing! Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Information

Knobbed Whelk Channeled Whelk About Red Tide

Northern Moon Snail

Soft Shell Clam Waved Whelk Blue Mussel Red Tide Information: Visit the PSP monitoring program of the MarineFisheries Shellfish Sanitation and Management Program: www.mass.gov/marinefisheries or call the Red Tide Hot Line at (978) 282-0308, option 6. PSP Monitoring Surf Clam Quahog

Bay Scallop Oyster Commonwealth of Massachusetts Prepared by the Governor Deval Patrick Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Executive Office of Energy and Shellfish Sanitation and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan, Jr. Management Program with support from the Department of Fish and Game National Oceanic Commissioner Mary B. Griffin Atmospheric Administration. Razor Clam Division of Marine Fisheries Grant # NA09NMF4520029 Director Paul J. Diodati