ABSTRACT
In November 1987, serious but unusual illnesses were reported by persons eating cultivated mussels. Mytilusedulis, from Prince Edward Island, Canada and controls were imposed on the industry while the cause was determined. Mussels appear to depurate somewhat more rapidly than do clams but may also have higher initial contamination levels. Domoic acid is initially eliminated extremely rapidly, probably by reason of its solubility in water, therefore commercial depuration should be feasible. Lobsters were held at 13°C and fed either contaminated or toxin free mussel flesh. Lobsters can clearly identify and avoid domoic acid contaminated mussels, or the toxic parts thereof. Lobsters appear to have a natural fastidiousness which will protect them against contamination by domoic acid in nature, and the requirement for intervention in the fishery in the event of outbreaks of domoic acid contamination in molluscs seems unlikely.
