Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
MoreBack to News Headlines
Who's to blame for contaminated shellfish? Researchers follow the fecal matter to find out

Who's to blame for contaminated shellfish? Researchers follow the fecal matter to find out

CBC
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 1:07 PM GMT

For the shellfish industry, high fecal counts detected in areas where shellfish such as oysters are harvested can mean long — and costly — closures.

The fecal matter is associated with human-borne viruses, like norovirus, but the tests that are typically used to measure the fecal matter don't distinguish between different types of animals, including humans.

That's where a new two-year program from Genome B.C. comes in. Researchers have begun using molecular testing to determine, broadly, what sort of animal poop is polluting water, with the goal of making it easier to manage the problem, and hopefully reduce long harvesting closures.

"These are methods testing for the DNA present in bacteria, to tell us what the potential source is," said Natalie Prystajecky, the program co-lead, clinical associate professor at the University of British Columbia, and program head for environmental microbiology at the B.C. Centre for Disease Control's public health laboratory.

According to Prystajecky, the tests aren't able to absolutely pinpoint the specific source, but it can point researchers in the right direction. 

"In general, the type of fecal pollution that we're most concerned about is human fecal material, because the bacteria and viruses found in human waste can make humans ill," she said, adding that higher fecal counts could be permitted if it's known to not be from humans.

Once the type of animal responsible for polluting an area's water is determined, it's easier deal with it.

"If we can put a finger on what the source is by saying, 'yeah, it's not human, it's of bird origin,' it would definitely go a long way towards addressing how we manage that contamination," said Nico Prins, executive director of the B.C. Shellfish Growers Association (BCSGA).

Management in the case of animal feces from creatures like birds or sea lions could mean deterring them from congregating in certain areas like docks. If it's from cattle living upstream, there could be strategies to reduce the issue.

For human feces, it can get more complicated in terms of who the regulator is, according to Prystajecky, but if it's a source like a leaky septic tank or composting outhouse close to the seashore, that could be addressed with repairs or relocation.

"We can look at certain things like, are there a lot of marine vessels that are travelling in that transport route nearby?" she said. 

According to a report by the environmental group Stand.earth in 2021, the pandemic-era pause in the cruise industry in B.C. resulted in an estimated 220 million litres of sewage, 1.8 billion litres of greywater, and 31 billion litres of washwater being kept out of the Salish and Great Bear seas.

The new testing program will focus on a stretch of the east coast of Vancouver Island between Deep Bay and Comox. According to Prins, the area is responsible for as much as 70 per cent of the half-shell oysters produced in the B.C. shellfish industry, as well as nearly half of its revenue. 

Shellfish are excellent product filters, explained Prins, with an adult able to filter 150-190 litres of seawater per day. They're exceptional at concentrating the particles, including potential toxins or contaminants that could make someone sick.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Airbnb says thousands of B.C. reservations at risk, blames 'rushed' rental rules

Short-term vacation rental platform Airbnb said Friday that "thousands" of reservations in British Columbia are at risk of cancellation, accusing the province of rushing out regulations as it cracked down on the industry.

Protester gets on Ford Fest stage in Etobicoke at annual Ontario PC event

A protester made it onto the stage at a Ford Fest event in Etobicoke organized by the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party on Friday.

New patient targets for family doctors could hurt P.E.I.'s reputation, says national college

The College of Family Physicians of Canada is raising concerns over new targets for family doctors on P.E.I. and calling on all parties to work together to find a solution.

Hanlan's Beach is getting a bubble zone to keep away motorized boats and vehicles

Toronto police's marine unit will create a bubble zone around Hanlan's Beach as a pilot project this summer to improve safety for swimmers, kayakers and paddleboarders.

Fort Good Hope N.W.T man sentenced to 7 years in prison for manslaughter

An N.W.T judge has sentenced a man from Fort Good Hope to seven years in prison for killing another man from the community last year.

Most Albertans will have to pay for COVID-19 shots starting this fall, province says

Alberta's government says residents who are not immunocompromised or on social programs will soon have to pay to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Man shot by police in Markham condo unit has died: SIU

A man shot by a police officer in a condo in Markham earlier this week has died, the Special Investigations Unit says.

P.E.I. coroner's office investigating 55-year-old man's death in Charlottetown park

Prince Edward Island's coroner's office is investigating a recent death at Joseph A. Ghiz Memorial Park in Charlottetown. 

Yukon RCMP report fatal car crash south of Whitehorse

The RCMP is responding to a fatal collision south of Whitehorse that left one dead and another injured. 

Canada calling for de-escalation between Israel and Iran, says foreign affairs minister

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Canada is calling for de-escalation after Israel targeted Iran's nuclear sites and killed Iranian military leaders with a barrage of airstrikes early Friday.

RCMP ask for help identifying 2 men connected to indecent acts on P.E.I.'s North Shore

Police in Prince Edward Island are asking for the public's help identifying two men involved in separate incidents of indecent acts that were reported in Queens County.

His dad's old age pension suddenly stopped coming, leaving couple at 'desperation time'

A London couple say they've been hit with a steep and unexpected monthly expense, after the federal government stopped an elder family member's old age security payments without explanation — payments which went toward expensive nursing home costs.

On the road to the G7 in Kananaskis, a popular wilderness retreat locks down

"Please, allow me to show you my bus that I drive for G7," says the driver.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
The word 'family' has caused controversy for this Ontario school board. Here's why

The Waterloo Region District School Board has been talking a lot about the word "family" this month.

As some restaurants ditch seed oils for beef tallow, UPEI prof warns it's no health upgrade

At Pedro's Island Eatery in North Rustico, owner Pedro Gameiro has long been not a fan of using seed oils for frying

Yukon First Nations graduation turns 50

The parking lot of the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse was full on Friday, and the building surrounded by well-dressed young people and their proud families. Despite the smoky conditions in the city, there was much to celebrate. 

Toronto should allow sixplexes to bring 'gentle density' to city, council committee says

Toronto has moved one step closer to allowing fiveplexes and sixplexes in neighbourhoods across the city.

Why removing a dead deer from the Thames River wasn't a situation of passing the buck

Warning: Some readers may find photos in this story distressing.

Can the G7 leaders still find anything to agree about?

Fifty years ago this fall the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States met in a castle outside Paris for three days of meetings, at the conclusion of which they issued the Declaration of Rambouillet, a 15-point statement of principles and commitments.

'It's escalating every minute': Iranian woman living in N.L. watches conflict with worry

An Iranian woman living in Newfoundland and Labrador says she's watching attacks between Israel and Iran with worry for her family back home.

Dramatic video captures school bus explosion in Hammonds Plains

Chase Valiant was in the middle of making an afternoon snack when his day took a dramatic turn.

Province paid Dr. John Dornan nearly $1.8M in settlement over firing as Horizon CEO

The provincial government ended up reaching a $1.8-million settlement with now-Health Minister Dr. John Dornan over his firing as the head of Horizon Health Network following the death of a Fredericton ER patient.

Montreal commuter seeks class action against public transit agency over labour strike

An authorization request to launch a class-action lawsuit against Montreal's public transit agency was filed in Quebec Superior Court Friday.

Thompson says finding hotel rooms for evacuees 'difficult' as Manitoba mulls invoking emergency powers

The City of Thompson says moving wildfire evacuees from its congregate shelter to hotel lodgings should be "a top priority," but that finding accommodations is hard this time of the year.

Family rushes to India to formally identify Regina father killed in Air India crash

The family of a Saskatchewan man says he died in the crash of an Air India plane bound for London on Thursday.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us