Latest news with #Vibrio
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Georgia oyster harvesting season closing
BRUNSWICK, Ga. (WSAV) — Georgia's state salt waters will be closed to commercial and recreational oyster harvesting for human consumption Sunday. Salt waterways are closed to harvesting during warmer months when the risk of shellfish-related illnesses are elevated, a Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Coastal Division spokesperson said. Vibrio parahaemolyticus are bacteria that naturally live in coastal waters but are found in higher numbers when water temperatures are warmer. The bacteria can cause stomach cramps, vomiting and fever if consumed. Raw or undercook oysters are often a way to contract Vibrio, the CDC reports. The seasonal closure will go into effect at 6 a.m. June 1 and extends through midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. Oyster harvesting season is expected to reopen at 7 a.m. Oct. 1. The closure applies to all salt waters from the Georgia-South Carolina state line to the Georgia-Florida border. For more information, contact the Coastal Resources Division at 912-264-7218. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
South Carolina shellfish harvesting season closing
BEAFOURT, S.C. (WSAV) — South Carolina's 2024-2025 shellfish harvesting season will come to a close on Wednesday. The season is closed when summer weather kicks in due to bacteria, according to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) officials. Vibrio parahaemolyticus are bacteria that naturally live in coastal waters, but higher levels occur when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The bacteria can cause stomach cramps, vomiting and fever if consumed. Raw or undercook oysters are often a way to contract Vibrio, the CDC reports. Coastal waters will remain closed to recreational shellfish harvesting until the fall, when water temperatures begin to cool and ensure that shellfish are once again safe for harvesting and consumption, officials said. Shellfish harvesting is expected to reopen Oct. 1, 2025. Even though recreational harvesting is closed, South Carolina Oyster Recycling and Enhancement (SCORE) works on community-based oyster restoration building oyster habitats using recycled shell. The public is invited to join SCNDR staff to help create the habitats. SCORE accepts recycled oyster shells year-round. Collection sites can be found online or by calling SCDNR at (843) 953-9397. Other types of shell, such as clams and whelks, are also accepted. Check the SCORE webpage for a calendar of events or email the community restoration staff at score@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Tar balls from oil spills resurface during monsoon and accumulate toxic metals and bacteria along indian west coast
Kochi: Remains from oil spills in oceans and seas do not disappear from waters but resurface as tar balls, accumulating heavy toxic metals and bacteria as they float into coastal regions during monsoon. These are the findings of a joint study carried out by researchers from Cochin university, the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology and Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands. Samples were collected from Arabian Sea coast from Kanyakumari to Mumbai. The tar ball survey was conducted by visual observation during cruises onboard FORV Sagar Sampada and ORV Sagar Kanya. Tar balls were collected from the surface using a bucket as well as by towing a bongo net (Hydrobios) available onboard the two Indian Ocean research vessels. "We observed the surface-floating tar balls, both small and large, and monitored them through two monsoon seasons to understand their behaviour and contents," said Cusat chemical oceanography department assistant professor Shaju S S. The paper is under review for publication. Shaju said these tar balls, formed from large oil molecules, attract bacteria and goose barnacles, have toxic heavy metals, and may contain human pathogens like Vibrio species. Winds transport them along the coast, posing ongoing environmental and health risks. He mentioned that they were around 0.1-4 cm. "We found 11 types of hydrocarbons and harmful heavy metals, including lead, chromium and cadmium, which can bioaccumulate and enter the food chain." The analysis of tar ball samples showed significant concentrations of heavy metals, with the highest levels of lead and cadmium found in samples from off the Mumbai water surface (75m depth). The concentrations were 1,396.34ppm for lead and 1,354.03ppm for cadmium while the lowest concentrations were 32.71ppm for lead from off the Goa surface station (50m) and 15.55ppm for cadmium from off the Mumbai surface station (75m depth). The study stated that temperature plays an important role in maintaining the stickiness of the tar balls. As the temperature increases, the stickiness of the tar balls also increases, which can harm marine mammals, birds, and fish.
India.com
25-05-2025
- Health
- India.com
Dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria discovered in Red Sea, Mediterranean
(Representational image) London: Israeli researchers have found dangerous, antibiotic-resistant Vibrio bacteria in the Mediterranean and Red Seas, raising public health concerns, Tel Aviv University (TAU) said in a statement on Sunday. These bacteria can cause serious illnesses in humans, including stomach issues, wound infections, and ear infections. They also harm marine animals like corals and shellfish, Xinhua news agency reported. Vibrio bacteria can share genes, meaning once one becomes harmful, it can turn others into threats too. Warmer ocean temperatures, driven by climate change, are helping these bacteria spread to new areas and infect more people. In their study published in mSphere, TAU scientists analysed the genomes of 23 Vibrio bacteria samples collected from the coastal waters of Tel Aviv and Eilat. Their findings revealed a wide range of toxins, secretion systems, and mobile genetic elements that help the bacteria spread traits that boost their survival and virulence. It was also found that at least 10 bacterial strains caused immune cells to die, and at least 12 could intoxicate competing Vibrio strains. When tested against antibiotics commonly used to treat Vibrio infections, many samples showed strong resistance, especially to azithromycin. One strain detected in the Red Sea produces a toxin deadly to shrimp, which has caused damage worth billions of U.S. dollars to shrimp farms worldwide. According to the team, the results highlight the clear disease-causing potential of Vibrio bacteria in Israeli coastal waters and point to the urgent need for ongoing environmental monitoring to track and manage emerging threats.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Texas Game Wardens issue safety reminder ahead of busy Memorial Day Weekend
May 21—AUSTIN — As Memorial Day weekend approaches, Texas Game Wardens are gearing up for a busy summer on lakes, rivers and coastal waters to keep boaters safe. With more than 560,000 registered boats and an estimated 359,000 unregistered paddlecraft on Texas waterways, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is urging boaters to make wearing life jackets, sober operation of boats and common-sense safety their top priorities. Operators of personal watercraft should also be aware that these vessels have unique safety laws, including always wearing a life jacket and operating in daylight hours only. "Texas Game Wardens will be out Memorial Day weekend to ensure the public enjoys their time on the water responsibly," Cody Jones, TPWD assistant commander for marine enforcement, said in a news release. "But we also need boaters to take safety seriously. Many of the deaths and serious injuries that occurred in Texas waters last year were preventable." Game wardens will continue to patrol the waterways across the state throughout the summer season, working to prevent accidents and assist those in need. While game wardens are trained and equipped to respond quickly, many emergencies can be avoided altogether when boaters make informed, responsible choices. "Every life jacket worn and every sober operator behind the wheel contributes to a safer environment for everyone on the water," Erika Brooks, TPWD boating education specialist, said in the release. Safety Requirements and Reminders — Wear a life jacket: Required for children under 13 and essential for all. — Use the engine cut-off switch: It's the law and can help prevent serious injury. — Never operate a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Penalties include fines and license suspension. — Take a boater safety course: Required for anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1993, operating certain vessels. — Personal watercraft operators must wear a life jacket, follow the 50-foot rule and stay off the water after sunset. — Be weather-aware, communicate your plans, and avoid overcrowding your boat. — Avoid saltwater if you have open wounds as Vibrio bacteria occur naturally in Texas coastal waters. "Boater education is one of the most effective tools we have for reducing incidents," Jones added. "Of those involved in fatal or serious accidents, many had never taken a safety course. That's something every boater can control." To find certified safety courses, check boating laws, or review equipment requirements, visit the TPWD Boater Education Program.
