The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority publishes an annual classification list of Ireland’s shellfish production areas

SFPA publishes annual classification list of Ireland’s shellfish production areas. The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has published the annual classification list* for commercial shellfish (bivalve mollusc) production areas across Ireland, assessing 136 classifications in 58 production areas against strict safety requirements for human consumption. During this year’s 2024 annual review of classifications, twenty-one production areas received ‘upgrades’ to their classifications, and nine production areas received ‘downgrades. Live shellfish can only be harvested from production areas which meet strict classification requirements for human consumption, as set out under European and Irish Food laws. The SFPA, in collaboration with the shellfish industry, conducts regular shellfish sampling in all production areas, monitoring the levels of bacterial contamination of shellfish to determine the risk and classification status. Each production area is designated a rating that ...