Mass. to test local shellfish for toxin

BOSTON The Massachusetts Department of Health has announced that it will conduct precautionary tests of shellfish harvested in local waters to determine if they have been infected with Paralytic Shellfish Poison, or PSP, and also known as Red Tide.

The tests will focus on bivalves such as surf clams and ocean quahogs. The detection of PSP could curtail supplies of those shellfishes for restaurants.

The poison does not affect fish, scallops, crab,