The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada warned the public this week not to consume clams, cockles, and other bivalves currently offered for sale from the North Coast.

Ads are popping up on social media throughout Northwest BC, offering uninspected bivalves in a number of communities.

The public should not be consuming bivalves and others shellfish unless the fish has been inspected and sold through a Provincially and Federally licensed facility, according to DFO.

The most concerning issue included in the alert was the warning not to consume any shellfish due to possible toxins and parasites in the bivalves, DFO Conservation and Protection Officer Wade Norman in Prince Rupert said people should be cautious in seeking bivalves online.

“Anyone who may have purchased these products are strongly advised not to consume them,” Norman said. “Cooking will not destroy the toxins associated with paralytic shellfish poisoning or botulism.

The symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning include: tingling; numbness, spreading from lips and mouth to face, neck and extremities; dizziness; arm and leg weakness; paralysis; respiratory failure; and possibly death.

There is no commercial harvesting in or near Prince Rupert, commercial shellfish harvesting is closed at this time of year and any sales occurring from the area are illegal.

Listen to the full interview below.