Bass Strait toxic algal blooms close some scallop beds
A toxic algal bloom has reappeared in Bass Strait forcing the closure of some scallop zones.
Scallop beds on Tasmania’s east coast were closed in August when the first signs of the algal bloom appeared, but then reopened.
Last month fishermen voluntarily left scallops in Bass Strait because they were found to contain elevated levels of a toxin caused by the algae.
The Tasmanian Scallop Fishermen’s Association’s Bob Lister says some Bass Strait fishing zones have now been closed under commonwealth regulations because some scallops had toxin levels above the recommended guidelines.
“It would be some weeks before we could consider reopening that area,” he said.
He says the closure mainly affects Victorian fishermen and insists that scallops sold to the public are safe to eat.
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