Area openings are dependent upon regular submission and analysis of samples for biotoxin analysis, as set out in a biotoxin monitoring protocol administered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Three consecutive mussel samples, along with a sample of the targeted food species containing acceptable levels of biotoxin must be received in order for CFIA to recommend lifting a harvest restriction in an area. CFIA will recommend lifting the biotoxin prohibition and a harvest site can then be considered by DFO for fisheries openings. Once an area is open, on-going submission of mussel samples is required to maintain the opening. CFIA will recommend closure of the harvest area to DFO if there is a lapse in sample submissions or if unacceptable levels of toxin are detected (>80 ug STXdiHCl eq/100g; >20 ppm domoic acid (ASP); >0.2 ug /g Okadoic Acid /DTX Toxin and/or Pectenotoxin (DSP)).
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