The Seattle Times covers an incredibly important but little known lab that checks local shellfish for toxins. Given the recent closing of virtually all shellfish harvesting in the Hood Canal and nearby, this is worth reading. One of the scientists in the lab is quoted as saying that the recent closure was the worse outbreak he’s seen in 25 years. Another small example of the issues we face with global warming from our never ending use of fossil fuels.
The story is behind the Seattle Times paywall, but I recommend supporting the work of the Times.
Here at the Washington State Department of Health’s humble (read: small) public health lab, scientists process hundreds of samples of shellfish each week to help keep people safe from illness. If you like to shuck ‘em, enjoy a chowder or geoduck ceviche, these are some of the people you can thank. And their work is becoming more important as Washington warms due to climate change.
Filed under: Climate Change, Environmental Science, Global Warming, Jefferson County, Olympic Peninsula, Shellfish, Washington State | Tagged: Hood Canal, Shellfish, toxins |
This underscores another reason it would be a mistake to plan industrial shellfish farms in local wildlife refuges. Even if one is unconcerned about protecting wildlife habitat, the economic feasibility of such projects in warming waters is quite dubious.