Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE FOOD SAFETY Authority of Ireland is warning against harvesting and eating wild shellfish from the seashore on the west and south west coast after several people developed symptoms of poisoning.
In the past few weeks more than ten people in Galway, Mayo and Sligo have become ill with suspected symptoms.
The FSAI said that algal blooms which occur naturally along the west and south west coast of Ireland are causing the illness, while the Marine Institute has said that the blooms have “resulted in considerable mortalities of fish, shellfish and other coastal invertebrates”.
Locals and holidaymakers who are recreationally gathering shellfish in the region are being warned of the dangers of consuming shellfish found on the shoreline – mussels, oysters, scallops, cockles and clams are all affected.
Professor Alan Reilly, Chief Executive of the FSAI said:
Wild shellfish found along the west Coast may contain naturally occurring toxins which cannot be removed through cooking alone. Eating shellfish contaminated with these toxins can lead to people suffering nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps.
The effects are not life threatening but can be particularly severe for older people, young children and people who may already be ill from another medical condition.
The FSAI is advising that shellfish should only be purchased from reputable suppliers, who are subject to a national monitoring programme and weekly status reports.
Commercial harvesting of shellfish is suspended in areas with high biotoxin levels.
According to the Marine Institute algal blooms has severely affected areas of the the north west from Mayo to Donegal, and along the rest of the west coast. Satellite imagery has shown a decrease in the concentration of the blooms, but it is still causing problems.
Fishermen have reported low catches and in some areas oyster farms have reported losses between 20 and 80 per cent.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
a really good article well done
Interesting, Im going to have to get this book
Long overdue, and well done. Irish soldiers fought all over the world including the Wild Geese, the U.S. Mexico, South America etc etc. If anyone wants to know more visit the superb ‘Soldiers and Chiefs’ exhibition at Collins Barracks in Dublin.
The fusilier’s arch on the green, I remember my grandmother who prayed for the boer’s and for Gandi, alway’s referred to it as traitor’s gate.
An interesting period of Irish history and its integration with Europe Nothing new about the EU ! Also some great music and songs were written about the military adventures of Irishmen abroad during this period of history Nice piece thank you
Excellent article, amazing work by the author. It’s a section of history that is generally skimmed over in universities, which negates away from the importance of the irish brigades ideology! Brilliant stuff!
I never knew that arch had stuff written in it
Fighting Irish- the extraordinary story of the Irish soldier by Tim Newark is definitely worth a read if you find this interesting.
Great piece, another book to hunt down
Make the most of it – the EU and troika has ensured that European history is going to be dull from now on
Sounds like an interesting book. So which British regiment lost it’s colours?
Look forward to reading it
have your say