Wrangell tribe trains to monitor shellfish for toxins

The Wrangell Cooperative Association’s shellfish monitoring program is now fully operational.

The tribe joined the Southeast Tribal Toxins, or SEATT, network in April. Two WCA staff traveled to Sitka last week to complete training.

The program is funded through the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program or IGAP.

The program’s technician, Kim Wickman, and and coordinator, Chris Hatton, said it will increase their ability to identify harmful phytoplankton and use proper protocol when sending shellfish to Sitka to be tested for paralytic shellfish poisoning.

The program is regional and is run by the Sitka Tribe of Alaska.

“There are 15 tribes involved. Each tribe, each week is striving to send this information and some samples to them,” Hatton said. “We also do a regular baseline sample of blue mussels, sent to them so they can check it, essentially at each tide cycle.”

The association will test monthly near Shoemaker Bay Harbor.

“Because we know it’s a fairly common area for harvesting both north and south of the harbor itself, we’ve sent blue mussels, cockles and butter clams from north and south and within the harbor to Sitka at various times over the last four months,” she said.

The association can get samples to Sitka and get results back within one or two days, Hatton said. WCA will alert the public of shellfish toxin levels through social media, a monthly newsletter and announcements on KSTK.

The association found high levels of PSP in butter clams in mid-August.

When high levels are found, the tribe will sample more frequently to monitor levels.

Most coastal portions of the U.S. have programs in place to monitor shellfish toxins. Hatton said the SEATT program is a valuable asset to Southeast.

“One of the most poignant phrases that was coined while we were there, Chris (Whitehead), the biologist from Sitka tribe said the only place that people die or get sick from PSP is in Alaska.”

Anyone with questions about the program can call the association’s office at (907) 874-4304. Results from across the region can be found at SEATT’s website.

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