Easter is often a time when people living in coastal communities on the North Shore and the Gaspé Peninsula get together for a hearty dinner including molluscan shellfish. This is a tradition that has gone on for generations.
The Department is reminding the public that harvesting molluscan shellfish from closed areas is prohibited. Additionally, shellfish harvesting is prohibited within 125 metres of a wharf, due to the risk of contamination.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, with a mandate to protect and conserve fishery resources, works with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Environment Canada in effort to prevent molluscan shellfish harvesting in closed areas in order to protect public health.
Consuming shellfish that is unsafe can lead to serious health problems, including death.
