NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: July 18, 2008
CONTACT: Chris Nash, DES, 603 568-6741
Doug Grout, NH Fish and Game 603 419-0172
` Liza Poinier, NH Fish and Game, 603 224-0029
Kris Neilsen, DHHS 603 545-2964

DES, DHHS and NH Fish and Game Issue Lobster Tomalley Advisory

Concord - The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, the New
Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, and the New Hampshire
Fish and Game Department advise seafood consumers to not eat lobster
tomalley, which may contain unsafe levels of “red tide,” or Paralytic
Shellfish Poison toxin. Tomalley is a soft, green substance found in the
body cavity of the lobster. State health experts emphasize that it is safe
to eat other lobster meat -- from claws, tails, etc.; this advisory applies
only to lobster tomalley.

“Consumers may already be aware of the need to avoid eating “Red tide”
contaminated seafood because of recent closures to shellfishing areas,”
said Chris Nash of the DES Shellfish Program. Red tide is a naturally
occurring marine algae that carries a potent neurotoxin; some ocean fish
and shellfish such as clams, oysters and mussels accumulate the red tide
toxin, making them dangerous for people to eat. Lobsters accumulate the red
tide toxin in their tomalley (which acts like a liver/pancreas) from their
various food sources. The toxin does not transfer into the meat of the
lobster.

The tomalley consumption advisory was prompted by the results from testing
conducted on lobsters collected yesterday from the Isles of Shoals. The
State of Maine reported elevated levels of red tide toxin in tomalley from
some locations earlier this week, and issued a tomalley consumption
advisory today. Canada has also issued similar advisories.

“This serves as a reminder that there are certain precautions we all need
to take regarding food safety,” stated Dr Jose Montero, Director of the
Division of Public Health Services at DHHS, “especially in the summer.
Part of our mission is to continually educate consumers on safe food
handling practices and food consumption.”

New Hampshire tidal waters were closed to clam, oyster, and mussel
harvesting in May of this year due to particularly high levels of red tide.
The State of New Hampshire emphasizes that the lobster tomalley advisory is
not a call to suspend lobster harvesting or eating. Rather, it is to help
consumers protect themselves from illness while still enjoying a meal of
lobster. “People can continue to enjoy their lobster meat and simply push
the green portion to the side of their plate,” Nash said.

Symptoms of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning include tingling, burning,
numbness, drowsiness, incoherent speech, and respiratory paralysis.
Symptoms typically occur within two hours of consumption, and can last a
few days in non-lethal cases. Severe cases can result in death by
respiratory arrest within 24 hours of consumption, but with prompt medical
attention, survivors typically make a full recovery. Anyone
who has eaten shellfish or lobster tomalley and experiences these symptoms
should seek immediate medical care.

For more information:
red tide: http://www.des.state.nh.us/factsheets/wmb/wmb-13.htm or
safe food handling visit: www.dhhs.nh.gov
Northern New England Poison Control Center Red Tide information at
http://www.mmc.org/mmc_body.cfm?id=2046 or 800 222-1222.

# # #

James Martin
Public Information Officer
NH Department of Environmental Services
29 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03302
(603) 271-3710
fx: (603) 271-8013
jmartin@des.state.nh.us

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