0644 Response and Intervention System for Climate Change Induced Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning in Aleut Communities

Since 1973, more than 150 outbreaks have been reported in Alaska, with three fatalities since 1994. In an effort to reduce the risk of PSP encounters, the Alaska Science and Technology Foundation funded research to develop a rapid test kit proposed by Jellett Bioteck in Nova Scotia, Canada, which was developed in 1994 and, in 2004, was approved by Food and Drug Administration, Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Program for screening shellfish, opening opportunities for communities to use a reliable, inexpensive method.

The project PIs will investigate the increased risk of PSP as a result of climate change and the reliability of traditional knowledge used when harvesting clams and mussels. Methods developed to monitor occurrence and distribution of PSP toxins in connection with climate change observations will increase communities' capacities in responding to the threat of poisoning while developing the process of interlinking modern technology and traditional knowledge.

Bruce Wright holding a small butter clam secured from the primary clamming beach at Sand Point. Photo by Ray RaLonde