Shellfish warning as monitoring of Ross-shire loch triggers health alarm
ENVIRONMENTAL health chiefs in the Highlands have issued a warning over shellfish from a Ross-shire loch.
Highland Council's Environmental Health team says it has identified raised levels of naturally occurring algal toxins following routine monitoring at Loch Ewe and at the Dornoch Firth.
The local authority is now warning that eating shellfish such as cockles, mussels, oysters or razor fish from these areas "may pose a health risk".
Warning notices for the public and casual gatherers have been posted at various locations on the shore.
Commercial shellfish harvesters in the area have been contacted by the council, with steps taken to postpone harvesting until algae levels subside.
Highland Council advises that as "a sensible precaution, people should avoid eating shellfish from this area until further notice".
Monitoring work is continuing and the council says that when levels subside, the warning notices will be removed.