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Testing shellfish and seawater for biotoxin risk
The programme aims to detect toxicity in shellfish-growing areas before harvest. This helps prevent shellfish containing naturally occurring marine toxins from reaching the market.
Monitoring activities
The programme combines shellfish testing, seawater analysis, and the publication of information for shellfish production areas.
Shellfish testing
We test shellfish for regulated marine toxins to identify toxicity before affected products are placed on the market.
Seawater analysis
We analyse seawater for toxin-producing phytoplankton and count phytoplankton in shellfish production areas.
Scientific advice and reporting
Monitoring findings inform scientific advice on shellfish toxicity and harmful algal blooms, as well as published HABS information.
Monitoring areas
Regulated toxin groups
Monitoring covers three groups of toxins regulated under Regulation EC No 853/2004 before shellfish can be placed on the market.
Amnesic shellfish toxins
This group includes domoic acids associated with amnesic shellfish poisoning.
Paralytic shellfish toxins
This group includes saxitoxins associated with paralytic shellfish poisoning.
Lipophilic marine toxins
This group includes diarrhetic shellfish toxins, azaspiracid shellfish toxins, and yessotoxins.
National Reference Laboratory
We operate within the EU network of National Reference Laboratories. The European Union Reference Laboratory for Monitoring of Marine Biotoxins, based in Vigo, Spain, leads this network.
The National Reference Laboratory supports expertise, knowledge, and communication throughout Ireland. It also provides the scientific framework for appropriate sampling and analytical monitoring programmes.
Accredited analysis
We use standard methods to analyse regulated marine toxins. All methods are ISO 17025 INAB accredited under Scope 130T.
Regulation EC No 853/2004 sets maximum amounts of specified marine biotoxins that may be present in shellfish for consumer protection.
| Toxin group | Limit |
|---|---|
| Paralytic shellfish toxins | 800 micrograms per kilogram of toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) |
| Amnesic shellfish toxins | 20 milligrams per kilogram of domoic acids that cause amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) |
| Diarrhetic shellfish toxins | 160 micrograms of okadaic acid equivalent per kilogram, expressed as the sum of okadaic acid and dinophysis toxins |
| Yessotoxins | 3.75 milligrams of yessotoxin equivalent per kilogram |
| Azaspiracids | 160 micrograms of azaspiracid equivalent per kilogram, expressed as the sum of azaspiracid-1, azaspiracid-2, and azaspiracid-3 |
Download
Regulation EC No 853/2004
Access the regulation governing permitted amounts of marine biotoxins in shellfish placed on the market.
View all documentsResults and advice
We provide scientific advice to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), and industry on shellfish toxicity and harmful algal blooms.
Shellfish-toxin analysis results and phytoplankton counts for shellfish production areas are published on HABS.
Contact the biotoxin team
For further information about shellfish safety and biotoxin monitoring, contact Conor Duffy.