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Razor clams are open: DFO

After nearly a year of closure, the razor clam harvest on North Beach is open, DFO announced April 17 (Thursday)."Effective immediately the harvest prohibition for razor clams is lifted in Subarea 1-5. The most recent marine bio-toxin results were acceptable," DFO's website read.Razor clams on North Beach had been closed since May 12, 2013, with the exception of two one-week openings, said DFO communications officer Dan Bate.He explained the long closure was because levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) had been quite high, and can fluctuate dramatically.Bivalve shellfish samples are submitted to the Haida Fisheries Program and tested by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as part of an ongoing bio-toxin monitoring program."Levels have come down but monitoring is continuing ... CFIA requires three "clean" samples over three consecutive weeks before they will open an area," said Mr. Bates.The commercial razor clam fishery was scheduled to be open in mid-March, but elevated PSP delayed the opening until last week.DFO's April 17 report said that harvest in subarea 1-5 is closed to all other bivalve shellfish (oysters, clams, scallops, mussels, and geoduck) besides razor clams, and that harvest in the rest of area one (north Haida Gwaii) and all of area two (south Haida Gwaii) are closed to all bivalve shellfish.DFO reminds fish harvesters to check for the most recent information regarding bio-toxins by calling 1-866- 431-3474, your local DFO office, or visiting www.pac.dfo- mpo.gc.ca.