Directory

Access tools

Set Text size

A

|

A

|

A

Set Contrast

A

|

A

|

A

Text only
Translation
Listen

Shellfish

Poole Harbour and Poole Bay support a thriving shellfish trade in many species of shellfish, including

• cockles
• oysters
• mussels
• clams.

Safety of Shellfish

We monitor the safety of local shellfish for human consumption by sampling seawater, and the flesh of shellfish, on a monthly basis throughout the year.

We do this as part of the

• National Shellfish Water Classification Programme, and the
• National Algal Toxin Monitoring Programme.

An explanation of the Classification System, together with the current classifications for Poole Harbour and Poole Bay, are given in the following document: Information on the classification system

Registration Documents (formerly known as Movement Documents)

Registration Documents provide a traceability system for shellfish and are an important link in the chain of public health control measures designed to ensure that shellfish placed on the market are safe to eat.

A completed Registration Document must accompany each batch of live bivalve molluscs (e.g. cockles, clams, mussels and oysters), and marine gastropods (e.g. winkles, whelks) at all times during transport from the harvesting/production area to the place of destination, such as a purification centre.

Registration Documents are available free of charge, on request from Environmental & Consumer Protection Services.

Other Agencies

The shellfish trade is also regulated by legislation administered by other Agencies, such as the Marine and Fisheries Agency  and Southern Sea Fisheries District Committee . Areas covered include: shellfish harvesting seasons, minimum landing sizes, licensing of fishing vessels etc.