Mussels Harvested From Frenchman Bay Are Being Recalled

Mussels harvested from Frenchman Bay are being recalled due to elevated levels of domoic acid, the biotoxin that causes amnesic shellfish poisoning, officials said.

The recall follows the halting this week of the harvesting of mussels, clams, oysters and whelks in the area between East Point on MDI and Cranberry Point in Gouldsboro, the Maine Department of Marine Resources said in a news release Friday.

Although not part of the recall area, the harvesting of mussels, European oysters and surf clams is on hold in a larger area stretching from Cape Jellison to Roque Bluffs.

The halting of harvesting in the larger area was implemented as a precaution to protect public health, especially on offshore islands and remote areas, the release said.

All Maine shellfish dealers were notified about the recall on Friday.

It affects Atlantic Shellfish in Jonesport, Eastern Maine Mussel in Hancock, Moosabec Mussels Inc. in Jonesport and Pemaquid Oyster Company in Waldoboro.

Dealers were instructed to contact their customers and ask them to destroy all products affected by the recall.