Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority Publish Coulagh Bay Sanitary Survey
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) recently published a sanitary survey for Coulagh Bay, Co. Cork. Under EU regulation, there is a requirement for the competent authority intending to classify a bivalve mollusc production area to undertake a sanitary survey in that area.
The purpose of the sanitary survey is to determine the extent to which potential sources of pollution may impact a bivalve mollusc production area. The survey establishes the Representative Monitoring Points for the conduct of sampling, and ultimately inform the sampling plan for the National Microbiological Sampling Programme, which is operated by the SFPA. The results of the Programme determine the annual classification for Bivalve Mollusc Production Areas.
The SFPA is dedicated to maintaining the safety and quality of shellfish production by conducting ongoing shellfish monitoring programs and sanitary surveys to classify production areas. The SFPA also prevents shellfish harvesting from areas with elevated levels of marine biotoxins and phytoplankton to ensure the safety of the product. Shellfish monitoring is a critical safety measure for consumers and helps protect the shellfish industry by preventing outbreaks and ensuring that seafood remains safe to eat.
For further details on this report, please contact sfpafood&fisheriessupport@sfpa.ie
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Note to Editor
Further details on the SFPA’s work on sanitary surveys can be accessed here: https://www.sfpa.ie/What-We-Do/Molluscan-Shellfish/Sanitary-Surveys
The Coulagh Bay Sanitary Survey can be accessed here: https://www.sfpa.ie/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=XOKg5ruRKC4%3d&portalid=0
Further Information
About the SFPA
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is the independent statutory body responsible for the regulation of the sea-fisheries and the sea-food production sectors. It promotes compliance with the EU Common Fisheries Policy, sea-fisheries law and food safety law relating to fish and fish products, verifies compliance and, where necessary, enforces it. Its mandate covers all fishing vessels operating within Ireland’s 200-mile limit, over 2,000 Irish registered fishing vessels wherever they operate, and all seafood produced in Ireland’s seafood processing companies. The SFPA operates through a network of regional port offices situated at Ireland’s main fishery harbours. For further information visit: www.sfpa.ie