Elsevier

Aquaculture

Volume 39, Issues 1–4, 15 June 1984, Pages 331-343
Aquaculture

Economic impact of paralytic shellfish poison on the oyster industry in the Pacific United States

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Abstract

The oyster industry on the west coast of the continental United States extends from Morro Bay, California, north to and including Puget Sound, Washington. Periodic outbreaks of paralytic shellfish poison caused by dinoflagellates of the genus Gonyaulax have resulted in reported symptoms and even death from consumption of contaminated shellfish. Although no deaths and only two reported outbreaks have affected commercial oysters, the fear of paralytic shellfish poison results in seasonal depressions in oyster markets, even when outbreaks are not present. This, coupled with inaccurate or misleading information distributed to the public, not only affects marketing of oysters under normal circumstances, but also has an impact on the interstate shipment of nonaffected, Health Service-approved oysters from nonaffected areas. Because of the nature of the west coast industry, both in terms of investment for acquisition of seed and cost of structures used in grow-out techniques, interruptions in the marketing of oysters have a drastic impact on the oyster industry. This study reviews the economic impact of paralytic shellfish poisoning, the factors that increase the impact beyond the normal response, and requirements necessary to lessen the impact on the oyster industry.

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