Minutes of the Molluscan Shellfish Safety Committee - 29th May 2024

Location: Marine Institute Galway (In-Person Meeting)

Attendees:

FSAI: David Lyons (chair), Una Walton (minutes)
SFPA: Susan Coughlan, Michelle Moloney, Niall O'Rahelly
MI: Bill Dore, Conor Duffy, Sinead Keaveney, Patrick Costello, Joe Silke, Dave Clarke, Felix Sproll
IFA: Teresa Morrissey, John Harrington, Finian O’Sullivan
BIM: Vicky Lyons, Gary McCoy, Vera O'Donovan
EPA: Liam Ó Súilleabháin
Industry: Pat Mulloy
Irish Water: Charlotte Picard, Ronan Kane

Apologies: Aileen OSullivan, Tristan Hugh-Jones, Patricia Daly, Peter Gaffney, Ciaran McGonigle, Patrick Murphy, Dean Murphy

1. Introductions

All attendees introduced themselves.

2. Minutes and matters arising from the last meeting (09.11.2023)

Item 5: Scallops Update

DL provided an update on proposed enhanced official control monitoring of scallops:

Following an audit by Santé F Audit in 2011, Ireland faced potential proceedings before the European Court of Justice due to a food law interpretation issue.
A proposal was submitted and accepted by the Commission.
Work is progressing to meet the 31st May 2024 deadline to start processing samples under the new monitoring programme.
A revision of the Code of Practice for the Irish Shellfish Monitoring Programme (Biotoxins) will be published.
Implementation of the proposal is expected to resolve the infringement proceedings.

FO'S inquired if the new monitoring programme would negatively impact fisheries.

DL clarified the proposal has been crafted to meet the Commission's requirements and close the proceedings.
The new monitoring programme will be audited and can be reviewed again in the future.
The limit for the processed product remains unchanged. The whole scallop limit is 250mg/kg, and the limit for the adductor and gonad is 20mg/kg.
The limits are derived from various sources, including EFSA scientific opinions and existing EU regulatory limits.

Item 6: Live Bivalve Molluscs Working (LBM) Group:

DL advised that resolution of scallop’s infringement proceedings will open opportunities for proposals through the LBM working group.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

3. Standing Items

3a. Update on Shellfish Monitoring Co-ordination (SFPA)

MM provided an update on the sampling activity from Q1 of 2024 (refer to documents attached).

Sampling Activity (Jan – April 2024)
- 528 microbiological samples were taken (Annex A).
- 13 out of range results were detected (2.46% of samples), an increase from 11 in the same period in 2023 (Annex B).
Classification Review
- The Shellfish Classification 2024 Implementation Meeting is scheduled for 20th June 2024 and will be held in-person at SFPA HQ in Clonakilty.
Changes in Scallop Testing for Biotoxins (Effective 1st June)
- All scallops to be tested whole monthly, with weekly samples of edible parts.
- The MI will require a whole scallop analysis for each supergroup area before accepting samples for edible parts.

Action: MM to initiate review of the Code of Practice after the classification Meeting.

3b Toxicity Summary Report including Production Area Closures (MI)

PC presented the MI’s toxicity report

No site closures from March to May 2024.
Trend analysis shows phytoplankton counts aligning with toxin counts.
No ASP events so far this year.
PSP – no samples observed to be above ND

PSP Safe Project

DC provided an update on the PSP Safe Project:

It’s a four-year project funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM), concluding next year.
The project is based on two parts:
- Understanding the molecular biodiversity of Alexandrium species and the occurrence of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins (PSTs) in shellfish, which have been present in Castlemaine Harbour since 2019.
- Developing predictive modelling and risk assessment tools for PSP events in the area.
Recently, the PSP Safe Project Website was launched.
In May, the project team met with shellfish producers and deployed an environmental data recorder, gathering input on the best locations for data collection.
The project is building a profile around the southwest using molecular tools.
Industry support in the area has been exceptional, particularly in sample collection.
Two monitoring locations are currently active.
Weekly sampling campaigns have started, and a molecular assay for Alexandrium minutum has been developed, detecting the toxic strain in the southwest.

There were queries regarding PSP sampling and if Alexandrium embeds itself in an area and if it affects particular oysters or mussels.

DC advised that the trigger for testing for PST is 200 cells. When it exceeds 200 cells in any location, PST tests are conducted on shellfish. The molecular tool now helps detect if it is A. minutum.
DC explained that Alexandrium is a highly adaptable genus with significant tolerance to salinity and temperature changes. If it embeds in an area, it remains there and can affect any species. It is very tidal and can cause water discoloration. Toxins can, however, exceed regulatory levels without visible water discoloration.
The MI takes four additional samples during the summer months to maximise coverage, aiding better decision-making due to Alexandrium's rapid blooming.

F'OS emphasised the importance of increased data availability next year to prevent recurrences and understand the causes of PSP events.

DC advised:

The trigger for testing for PST is 200 cells. When cell counts exceed this threshold in any location, PST tests are conducted on shellfish. The molecular tool now helps detect if it is Alexandrium minutum.
Alexandrium is a highly adaptable genus with significant tolerance to salinity and temperature changes. Once it establishes in an area, it can persist and affect various species. Alexandrium is very responsive to tidal movements and can cause water discoloration. However, toxin levels can exceed regulatory limits even without visible water discoloration.
The MI takes four additional samples during the summer months to maximise coverage, aiding better decision-making due to Alexandrium's rapid blooming.

F'OS emphasised the importance of increased data availability next year to prevent recurrences and understand the causes of PSP events. VO’D advised they working on enabling farmers to access real-time data on four key parameters: oxygen, chlorophyll, temperature, and turbidity. Six monitoring devices will be placed around the country to support this initiative.

New Project - Cli Phl - Ocean Climate variability and Phytoplankton in Irish coastal waters (ATU/MI)

Angéline Lefran presented an overview of the new CliPhI project.

It is a 4 year project (April 2024 – 2028) funded by the MI .
- Over the last few decades there been a global increase in water temperature and the timing in the temperature increase in water causing seasonal issues.
- In Ireland there are 5 harmful toxins with each different environmental drivers combination.
This project will aim to advise management and policy regarding potential future changes in phytoplankton communities and implications for sustainable aquaculture and will inform strategies for future phytoplankton monitoring programmes as part of climate-change mitigation plans.
- If you wish to be updated with the project or have relevant data set info, please contact the project team.

4. Microbiology and Virology

4a. Classification of wild and irregular fisheries (IFA)

PM discussed the challenges with wild fisheries that are active but not regular and suggested updating the wording in the code of practice to avoid declassification and develop a workable solution for obtaining samples.

SFPA advised they would look into this issue. MM emphasised that there is a minimum data requirement. If an area is considered dormant, the sampling frequency is reduced to once per quarter as per the CoP.
There is scope within the CoP for short-term classification, where for Class A areas, sampling should start at least one month prior to the harvesting season, and for Class B areas, sampling should begin two months prior to the harvesting season.
BD explained that the purpose of classification is to understand the background conditions, which requires consistent sampling. Conducting a risk assessment could provide a solution where classification is maintained without being active.
There is potential to shorten the period of sampling and develop an arrangement where the classification is not removed but remains inactive.
Discussions will be held to find a solution that maintains the value of the classification while addressing data requirements.

Action: SFPA to look into classification of wild and irregular fisheries and workable solutions that maintains the value of the classification while addressing sampling requirements.

4b. Management of Agricultural Slurry Spreading (IFA)

JH highlighted concerns about the management of agricultural slurry spreading and its impact on shellfish aquaculture:
- Strict rainfall criteria significantly affect the classification of bays, with many issues linked to agricultural slurry spreading.
- Suggested registering each slurry spreading tank in shellfish aquaculture catchment areas online. Farmers would notify the DAFM of their intention to spread on specific dates.
- Proposed halting shellfish sampling and harvesting for 7 days following a spreading event.
TM noted that while rules exist for defined non slurry spreading periods, compliance remains an issue due to the lack of penalties for breaches.
MM observed that if slurry spreading is an ongoing process, it becomes seasonal. SC emphasised the need for a licensing system as the first step.
BD pointed out that norovirus, which does not originate from slurry, is detected in certain sites, indicating the need for caution.
DL questioned who would manage and fund the proposed system.
SK suggested that through the Teagasc programme, which collaborates with farmers under the water framework directive, there might be an opportunity to pilot a programme. Teagasc has the resources to manage this initiative and develop relationships with farmers.
The involvement of Local Authorities (LAs) was highlighted in preventing runoff into the sea.
- LAs have agricultural inspectors who conduct farm inspections to control and monitor agricultural activities post-event. They carry out surveys on land spreading and visit farms for inspections.
- JH acknowledged that this system is in place but noted it’s not improving the situation. The results show that water quality is deteriorating.
GMcC proposed an educational component, noting that Teagasc has pilot projects aimed at educating farmers to change behaviours. A pilot study would provide evidence for the need for such an approach.

Action: DL to contact Teagasc re data on slurry spreading, as they might possess relevant research data.

Additional Points Raised by IFA:

The current system for slurry application in Ireland is not effective for the industry. The permissible period for slurry spreading is problematic because the wet and dry months are no longer predictable. Decisions on slurry spreading should not be based on a calendar but should be meteorologically driven, using rainfall data.
More data needs to be collected regarding the interaction between rainfall and slurry to better understand and manage the impacts on water quality.
Determining whether contamination is of human or animal origin would be beneficial to the industry.
The rainfall criteria in the CoP are too high and the contamination is usually in conjunction with another factor.

BD advised of the following points:

Regardless of the source of contamination, legislation requires addressing animal contamination in shellfish due to health risks. There are methods to differentiate between human and animal contamination, but they are expensive. By characterising the bay, one can determine if the contamination is human or animal. Regardless, it's in the legislation and results must be treated the same. Animal contamination in shellfish presents a human health risk and needs to be managed.
Rainfall significantly impacts water quality in shellfisheries. Accounting for it in every instance isn't practical. The presence of animals combined with rainfall further impacts water quality. This is a feature of the water quality in that fishery. If there are animals and rainfall, it's part of the makeup.

5. Scallops & Shellfish Monitoring Code of Practice

There were changes the CoP on biotoxins which include details on the new updates to the scallops sampling.

Link to new version: Code of Practice for the Irish Shellfish Monitoring Programme (Biotoxins) Version 10
The document was not circulated for comments due to tight timeframe for this amendment.
All the changes relate to scallops; no other species are affected.
It was proposed to include more changes in the next version (v11) that will be circulated for consideration.