NH Closes Shellfishing Beds Over Red Tide Concerns
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- New Hampshire authorities say concerns about "red tide" have led to the closing of Atlantic coastal waters and the Hampton and Seabrook Harbor to shellfishing.
State shellfish program manager Chris Nash says the toxic algae could be a danger to those people who dig their own shellfish. He says it's OK to eat shellfish from a reputable dealer or restaurant.
Officials say blue mussels collected from Star Island, Isles of Shoals last week showed low red tide toxin levels, but samples collected this week exhibited toxin levels above the mandatory closure threshold. Blue mussels collected from the Hampton-Seabrook Harbor this week also showed high toxin levels.
Red tide is a condition in which shellfish such as clams, oysters and mussels become toxic from algae. Ingesting the toxin is
potentially fatal.
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