Shellfish enhancement is a management tool used by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to increase opportunities for recreational harvest on certain public beaches by adding to the clam and oyster resource which occurs naturally. Our enhancement technique is to routinely "seed" suitable beaches with juvenile clam and oysters.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture has been given the responsibility to regulate the processing of all edible species of oysters, clams and mussels, either shucked or in the shell, fresh or frozen. Also, the Division is responsible for regulating whole or roe-on scallops intended for sale for human consumption either shucked or in the shell, fresh or frozen.

If you are allergic to shellfish, consult your doctor before deciding to take glucosamine. In most cases, however, allergies are caused by proteins in shellfish, not chitin, a carbohydrate from which glucosamine is extracted. Furthermore, there is no crossover between the acid derived chitin from shells and the antigens that cause shellfish allergies since the acid process required to leach the chitin from the shell strips away the carbohydrate side chains that would be antigenic.

Fat Absorb is non-allergenic. People with shellfish allergies are allergic to the meat, not the fiber in the shell.

The state presently seeds enhanced beds with Manila clams and Pacific oysters. These are the primary species currently being sold as "seed" and we have a long history of success planting them. We also planted geoduck clams until the closing of the state shellfish hatchery. When our hatchery was operating, we raised much of the shellfish seed ourselves.

Chitosan, obtained from the exoskeleton of shellfish, is an insoluble fibre. Before processing, the raw exoskeleton is composed of insoluble fibre, protein, and trace elements, such as iodine. During the manufacturing process, chitosan is refined to such an extent that the insoluble fibre is the only significant nutrient remaining. The protein and iodine are removed during the refinement process.

The species that appears to take in the highest amounts of toxins so far are green-lipped mussels. Other species have been found with toxins that are in the range where illness is possible. These include tuatua, toheroa, oysters, scallops, cockles and pipi. Other species like kina and surf clams should not be taken from the affected areas. Whitebait appears to be unaffected. Care must be taken when eating paua, crab and crayfish from toxin-affected areas.

Generally, a shellfish farmer buys or collects juvenile shellfish, called "spat." He then puts them in special nets or lines (oysters and mussels) that are anchored in the ocean, or plants them on a beach (clams). The animals feed by filtering the abundant, high-quality plankton that naturally occur in the water. The farmer must keep the animals clean from algae and protect them from predators. He then harvests the animals when they grow to a marketable size.

Yes. A certified shellstock shipper, shucker packer or repacker may purchase shellstock from licensed harvesters who harvest shellfish from approved harvest areas in open status.

Shellfish are a known allergen and glucosamine is derived from shrimp shells. However, people who are allergic to shellfish are actually allergic to the protein troponin, which is found in the muscle (protein) of shrimp. Analyses do not find any protein in the glucosamine hydrochloride used in Mona Vie Active Juice. Glucosamine hydrochloride (GHCl), the form of glucosamine used in Mona Vie Active Juice, is more than 99 percent pure.

It is unlikely that you would have any reaction; however it is always advisable to consult your primary care physician.

The allergen with shellfish is a protein and not iodine. The potassium iodide in our formulations is the same type of iodine that is added to Morton salt. Iodine is required for the body's synthesis of thyroid hormones, which control the body's metabolism. Sulfites are salts of sulfurous acid and are used as preservatives in certain foods such as wines and some "shelf products" to prevent spoilage.

Yes you can. Unlike mussels, oysters and clams, lobsters are not "filter feeders". They do not pump sea water and any pollution that the water might carry through their bodies. Toxins in the water do not concentrate in their flesh.

If you're allergic to shellfish, you should not take CetylMax™ tablets, as they contain Glucosamine, an ingredient derived from shellfish. However, there is no Glucosamine found in the topical analgesic cream formula. See our CFA Clinical Studies link to the left. CFA has been carefully studied, and that clinical research has been published publicly in such places as The Journal of Rheumatology (August 2003) and the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (2005).

Shellfish classifications provide for the harvest of shellfish to protect the health of shellfish consumers.

Maps are available from the Shellfish Section. Offices locations and phone numbers are identified above.

DACS initiates reclassification by amending the Comprehensive Shellfish Control Code, Chapter 5L-1, Florida Administrative Code. The time period to apply administrative procedures for rule amendment is at least three months.

Processing is the handling, unloading, storing, shucking, freezing, preparing, changing into different market forms, manufacturing, preserving, packing or labeling of shellfish or shellfish products.