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Tasmanian scallops cleared of potentially toxic algal bloom

Scallop fishers on the east coast of Tasmaina have been granted approval to resume fishing after tests for a potentially toxic algal boom came back as toxin-free.

The detection of the bloom forced oyster, mussel and scallop leases in the region to halt operations until testing was completed ABC Rural reports.

Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council’s Neil Stump said that the recommence of scallop fishing served as good news for the industry.

"The tests showed the level of toxins present in scallops was well below the maximum permissible level and they are withdrawing their voluntary closures and going to recommence harvesting activities," said Stump.

"So for at least for one sector of industry there is a bit of good news."

While scallop fishing is allowed to commence, Stump says that some oyster and mussel leases will remain closed.

"Sometimes these blooms can appear and then die off with very little notice but at this stage it's too early to tell," he said.

"It's a matter of continuing the sampling to see how the levels of algae and toxins are tracking.”

 

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