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Oi Oi to the Oysters
Havant has two oyster beds that lie within the boundary of the
borough, which are regularly harvested by local fisherman during
the oyster season which runs between October and March.
Environmental Health at Havant Borough Council, working with
colleagues from Chichester District Council, is responsible for
ensuring the safety of local shellfish, across Emsworth and
Chichester Harbours. Samples of oysters are tested on a monthly
basis from beds located at Mill Rythe, Sweare Deep, Birdham Spit,
Chichester Channel and Thorney Island, for levels of bacteria
(including E.coli) and marine biotoxins.
Working with local fisherman, Adam Shaw on his boat “Two Boys”,
samples of oysters are collected every month. The beds are dredged
and the oysters are sorted from the resulting seaweed, sponge,
rocks, mud, barnacles, fish, crabs and other items that are picked
up.
Approximately 20 oysters are needed for each sample; they must
be live and of the correct size. This ensures that the Health
Protection Agency laboratory in Southampton has sufficient flesh
for analysis. In addition, shellfish and seawater samples are sent
to the Centres for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science
in Weymouth and Lowestoft, who are responsible for monitoring the
levels of marine biotoxins in the harbour.
The results provided by the laboratories are then used to
determine the national classification of each oyster bed. This is
important as it ensures that the shellfish receive the right level
of purification treatment before they are consumed. In the event of
an unsatisfactory result, Environmental Health has the powers to
close the bed.
For further information about the shellfish sampling work
carried out by Environmental Health at Havant Borough Council,
please call 023 9244 6654.
For more information on the
Environmental Health Team follow this link>>