Post by Admin on Dec 28, 2015 19:05:24 GMT
Hi Bill,
Thanks for sharing this information on OA. Please see the below information I received from Dr. Braby at the Hatfield Marine Science Center:
” Dear Representative Gomberg,
Thank you for your inquiry pertaining to Oregon’s biotoxin testing, following Mr. William Lackner’s inquiry to you (date: 11/27/15). I am providing information about this issue to you, for distribution (as you see fit) or use.
Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) is one of four recognized symptom types of shellfish poisoning. The others being; Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP) and Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP). NSP is not found on the Pacific Northwest but in the Gulf Coast.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has regulatory authority in protecting and promoting food safety. This includes the federal/state cooperative program, the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP), which provides sanitary control of shellfish (clams, oysters, mussels and scallops) that are being produced and sold for human consumption. While the NSSP was established for commercial products, the recreational harvest of shellfish follows the same protocols for shellfish safety. Testing for the toxins through the NSSP has to be done by an FDA certified laboratory. There are few laboratories with this certification outside of the Oregon Department of Agriculture lab in Portland. The NSSP only requires ASP and PSP testing for interstate commerce at this time.
Currently, Oregon does not test for the presence of DSP in shellfish. While it is true that Washington does have a testing program for DSP, there are extenuating circumstances for the program. Washington has had verified cases of DSP in humans and with a very extensive overseas shellfish market for cultivated oysters and clams, both China and the European Union require the DSP testing protocol for all shellfish imported from the United States. Because of this, the Washington Department of Health (WDOH) had to develop a sampling protocol to continue the international market.
Okadaic acid (OA) and dinophysistoxin (DTX) are the two main components produced by the naturally occurring dinoflagellate Dinophysis spp. that are responsible for DSP. As the name suggests it is a very unpleasant toxin and those who have been afflicted do not want to ever be in that amount of pain again. The testing for DSP is significantly different than that of ASP or PSP which are each different in their own right. WDOH, to develop their sampling protocol, received grants to offset the additional costs of the research in safety thresholds, the equipment needed, the extra staff and sampling time.
The causative phytoplankton for DSP has been observed in Oregon waters. In 2007, ODFW in cooperation with scientists from Oregon State University, University of Oregon and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Newport, received a 5-year grant from the National Centers of Coastal Ocean Science to monitor harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Oregon. This project, Monitoring Oregon Coast Harmful Algae (MOCHA), was the first of its kind in Oregon and we learned a tremendous amount. The ODFW portion of this project was collecting and analyzing water samples along the coast for phytoplankton that caused shellfish poisonings. The DSP producing phytoplankton, Dinophysis spp., was observed on a relatively frequent basis starting in the fall of 2009, until the end of the project in September 2012. It was seen at levels that WDOH/WDFW consider enough to be accumulated in shellfish and warrant testing of the shellfish. At the end of the 5-year grant, Oregon did not continue the sampling program, which has diminished the State’s ability to have an early warning system for HABs.
It is anticipated that the FDA and the NSSP will eventually require the testing of DSP for interstate commerce and for public safety. Washington’s program is the pilot that the NSSP will use for guidance in any future programs. The testing, like the ones for ASP and PSP will need to come from certified labs to ensure a consumer safe product.
I would be happy to discuss this toxin or Oregon’s sampling programs with you further, at your convenience.
Happy holidays to you and your family,
Caren
Thanks for sharing this information on OA. Please see the below information I received from Dr. Braby at the Hatfield Marine Science Center:
” Dear Representative Gomberg,
Thank you for your inquiry pertaining to Oregon’s biotoxin testing, following Mr. William Lackner’s inquiry to you (date: 11/27/15). I am providing information about this issue to you, for distribution (as you see fit) or use.
Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) is one of four recognized symptom types of shellfish poisoning. The others being; Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP) and Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP). NSP is not found on the Pacific Northwest but in the Gulf Coast.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has regulatory authority in protecting and promoting food safety. This includes the federal/state cooperative program, the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP), which provides sanitary control of shellfish (clams, oysters, mussels and scallops) that are being produced and sold for human consumption. While the NSSP was established for commercial products, the recreational harvest of shellfish follows the same protocols for shellfish safety. Testing for the toxins through the NSSP has to be done by an FDA certified laboratory. There are few laboratories with this certification outside of the Oregon Department of Agriculture lab in Portland. The NSSP only requires ASP and PSP testing for interstate commerce at this time.
Currently, Oregon does not test for the presence of DSP in shellfish. While it is true that Washington does have a testing program for DSP, there are extenuating circumstances for the program. Washington has had verified cases of DSP in humans and with a very extensive overseas shellfish market for cultivated oysters and clams, both China and the European Union require the DSP testing protocol for all shellfish imported from the United States. Because of this, the Washington Department of Health (WDOH) had to develop a sampling protocol to continue the international market.
Okadaic acid (OA) and dinophysistoxin (DTX) are the two main components produced by the naturally occurring dinoflagellate Dinophysis spp. that are responsible for DSP. As the name suggests it is a very unpleasant toxin and those who have been afflicted do not want to ever be in that amount of pain again. The testing for DSP is significantly different than that of ASP or PSP which are each different in their own right. WDOH, to develop their sampling protocol, received grants to offset the additional costs of the research in safety thresholds, the equipment needed, the extra staff and sampling time.
The causative phytoplankton for DSP has been observed in Oregon waters. In 2007, ODFW in cooperation with scientists from Oregon State University, University of Oregon and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Newport, received a 5-year grant from the National Centers of Coastal Ocean Science to monitor harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Oregon. This project, Monitoring Oregon Coast Harmful Algae (MOCHA), was the first of its kind in Oregon and we learned a tremendous amount. The ODFW portion of this project was collecting and analyzing water samples along the coast for phytoplankton that caused shellfish poisonings. The DSP producing phytoplankton, Dinophysis spp., was observed on a relatively frequent basis starting in the fall of 2009, until the end of the project in September 2012. It was seen at levels that WDOH/WDFW consider enough to be accumulated in shellfish and warrant testing of the shellfish. At the end of the 5-year grant, Oregon did not continue the sampling program, which has diminished the State’s ability to have an early warning system for HABs.
It is anticipated that the FDA and the NSSP will eventually require the testing of DSP for interstate commerce and for public safety. Washington’s program is the pilot that the NSSP will use for guidance in any future programs. The testing, like the ones for ASP and PSP will need to come from certified labs to ensure a consumer safe product.
I would be happy to discuss this toxin or Oregon’s sampling programs with you further, at your convenience.
Happy holidays to you and your family,
Caren