Mahone Bay residents are going to have to go to the store to satisfy their shellfish cravings.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada have put a ban on harvesting a number of species in the area.
They say the Canadian Food Inspection Agency found high levels of toxins in the water.
Jemie Lent with Fisheries and Oceans Canada says the seafood will remain off limits until the CFIA determines they’re safe.
“They’ll keep checking the levels and when they determine that the shellfish is safe again they’ll put in a recommendation for us to lift the closure,” she says.
“And the DFO will do it when it is safe.”
The ban covers the region from Second Peninsula to Zinck’s Head.
Mahone Bay is the largest affected area.
The ban affects a number of species, including clams, mussels and oysters.
For a full list on banned species and how far the ban reaches, go to Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
