The aquaculture of bivalve molluscs is licensed in approximately 70 production areas (mostly bays and inlets) around the coast of Ireland. Mussels and Pacific Oysters are the most common species farmed but licenses are also granted for scallops, clams and cockles. Each harvest area is classified based on their sanitary quality using E. coli as an indicator of sewage contamination.
It is the responsibility of the Competent Authorities to organise the classification of shellfish production areas. In Ireland the competent authority is the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority. Monthly samples of each species are taken from every production area and tested for E. coli in one of the Marine Institute contracted national laboratories. The results from these analyses are used to classify the area according to criteria set down in EU regulation 854/04.
The SFPA has issued the 2008 Classification of Shellfish Production Waters. Areas from which live bivalve molluscs are harvested for human consumption are classified as being Class A, B or C depending on the quality of the waters from which they are taken (Table 1). Shellfish harvested from Class A areas may be marketed for direct human consumption, product harvested from Class B or C areas require further purification or treatment before being placed on the market. For a full list of classified production areas and their current status please go to the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority.
Table 1. Classification criteria for shellfish harvesting areas
Category |
E. coli level (MPN/100g) |
Treatment required |
|
Class A |
<230 |
May go direct for human consumption |
|
Class B |
<4,600 |
Must be depurated, heat treated or relayed to meet Class A requirements |
|
Class C |
<46,000 |
Must be relayed for 2 months to meet Class A or Class B requirements - may also be heat treated |
From 2008 classifications are determined using criteria detailed in a code of practice for the microbiological monitoring of Bivalve Mollusc Production. The Code of Practice was developed by a working group consisting of SFPA, Marine Institute, BIM, FSAI and Irish Shellfish Association. The code of practice can be found on the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority website.
The Molluscan Shellfish Safety Committee (MSSC) participates, with the competent authorities, in the classification of production areas process. The MSSC is convened by the FSAI and includes members of the shellfish growing industry, SFPA and authorities, BIM and the NRL.
For more information on the classification process please contact Bill Doré.