A high level of the toxin responsible for paralytic poisoning in shellfish were found in shellfish samples last year in within the Aleutian Islands, according to an analysis done by members of the Knik Tribe.
A group of Southcentral Alaska tribe’s scientists looked at samples of shellfish taken of Sand Point collected in 2023 and discovered biotoxin levels that were almost 50 times greater than U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s suggested limit. Knik Tribe’s study of samples taken from Juneau, Kodiak, King Cove and Chignik Lagoon also showed some were carrying concentrations in PSP toxin that were higher than FDA’s cutoff.
The shellfish samples comprised crabs, mussels and clams and cockles.
The toxin originates from algae and may accumulate in shellfish and fish that consume them. If people consume shellfish that contain high levels of toxin, they may become sick. In the worst case, PSP can cause partial or total paralysis and even result in death.
Although its traditional territory is not surrounded by abundant shellfish The Knik Tribe tests samples that Alaskans bring into the state under its grant-funded program.
There are many states that is at danger of PSP According to Bruce Wright, the Knik Tribe’s chief scientist. It’s particularly a problem for areas that have relatively warmer water temperatures, he added.
“Right now, the area that appears to be most affected is Juneau through Unalaska,” Wright said. “Further out into the Aleutians The levels appear to be quite low. There’s a completely different oceanography that’s happening out there. The water temperatures tend to be more frigid out there. In the north, we’re beginning witness an increase in PSP activities.”
The tribe is collaborating with health officials from the city of Nome to assess levels of toxin in crabs, too, Wright said.
Commercial fishing companies also test shellfish for the toxin There’s always a danger if you eat an under-consumption harvest of shellfish.
“The most that we could do is you head out and gather your clams, then remove them from the water, and then put them into the refrigerator or freezer and then contact Knik Tribe via Knik Tribe and request samples and we’ll analyze the clams,” Wright said. “And then we’ll let you know what we believe the likelihood of eating the harvest.”
It’s crucial to evaluate each harvest and the tribe is able to do it for free for Alaskans, Wright said. Shellfish harvests that are less than a quarter mile separated from one another could be very different in levels of PSP toxin, Wright said. Furthermore, Wright said, even there are people who eat shellfish on a beach, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s safe.
“There’s plenty of wives’ tales that are popular to say that when you eat clams in the months that have an R since those are colder months, the clams are safe to consume,” he said. “But it’s not true. This is especially true when it comes to butter Clams. When butter claims are toxic, they could remain toxic for a long time.”
Alaskans who wish to test their subsistence shellfish harvests are able to contact with the Knik Tribe. It is also possible to request information from the tribe on the harvests they have already test-driven.
