North Essex residents and fishermen are being warned of poisonous algae affecting shellfish along the coast.

Last week, Maldon District Council put up warning signs prohibiting the harvesting of bivalve molluscs, which include cockles and oysters, from Buxey Sands, Bench Head, St Peter's Flats and Batchelor Spit.

The move was based on a positive result for diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP).

The algae which produce the poison occur naturally in coastal and estuarine waters and have also been detected recently off the Kent and Essex coastlines along the Thames estuary.

Lindsey Ellison, environmental services team leader for commercial and pest control, said that the council had contacted fishermen and put up warning signs along the coastline. People picking up shellfish are warned them not to eat them.

"The poisoning gives typical symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal paints which can last for three days," she said.

The council is continuing to sample the shellfish. When two consecutive negative samples have been obtained, the Temporary Prohibition Order will be revoked.

Ms Ellison said that the algae bloomed at certain times of the year and could be found in other coastal areas of Britain. As far as she was aware, however, this was the first time that there had been a problem in Maldon.

Anyone with inquiries can contact Maldon District Council environmental services on 01621 875824.

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