SFPA PUBLISHES SANITARY SURVEY FOR WEXFORD HARBOUR

SFPA publishes sanitary survey for Wexford Harbour.  The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has published the results of a comprehensive Sanitary Survey for Wexford Harbour, undertaken to meet EU requirements for the classification of shellfish production areas. The survey, carried out in partnership with Aqualicense Ltd, will inform the classification and monitoring of blue mussels and Pacific oysters cultivated in the area.

The survey is required under Article 56 of Regulation (EU) 2019/627, which mandates an in-depth assessment of contamination risks before a shellfish production area can be officially classified for commercial harvesting.

For consumers and producers, the results from the survey mean that the updated sampling plan improves monitoring of microbiological quality in shellfish and will inform annual classification decisions. Furthermore, by identifying localised risk areas and strengthening representative monitoring, the survey enhances protections for public health and supports the sustainable operation of shellfish aquaculture in Wexford Harbour.

The survey reflects the SFPA’s commitment to evidence-based classification of shellfish areas and the protection of consumers through robust monitoring of potential faecal contamination. 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 queries, please contact: sfpafood&fisheriessupport@sfpa.ie

Key findings from the survey include:

• The sanitary survey confirmed that both the Inner and Outer Harbour are hydrodynamically connected, meaning pollutants may circulate between areas.
• Three Representative Monitoring Points (RMPs) were confirmed for blue mussels and one RMP was established for Pacific oysters, based on contamination risk and hydrodynamic modelling.
• The existing Inner and Outer Bivalve Mollusc Production Areas (BMPAs) have been merged into a single production area to reflect these connections.
• The new Pacific Oyster production area must first obtain preliminary classification, which requires at least 12 microbiological samples from the Representative Monitoring Point (RMP). If the results meet the criteria after the next review date, the area may be granted full classification.

Read the full Wexford Harbour Sanitary Survey: Wexford Harbour Sanitary Survey PDF

Further details on the SFPA’s work on sanitary surveys can be accessed here

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

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