Leading Journal of the Irish & UK Fishing Industries

The Marine Institute in conjunction with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and Irish Farmers Association Aquaculture (IFA) will host a Shellfish Safety Workshop at its headquarters in Rinville, County Galway, on the 17th October 2023. This will be the 12th in the series of workshops which commenced in 2000, with the last one held in October 2019.

Registration is open to anyone working in the areas of shellfish aquaculture and food safety. The workshop welcomes participation from the shellfish industry, regulators, scientists, and researchers.

When describing the event, Dave Clarke, Shellfish Safety Manager at the Marine Institute said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for those working in the shellfish sector to meet and discuss the current issues, latest trends and patterns, and the latest research advances in the field.”

The principle aims of this workshop are:

  • To continue the strong working relationship and communication with the Irish shellfish industry and state agencies in the promotion of high quality and safe shellfish, through presentations, discussions, debates and to generate key questions and potential areas for future research.
  • Review current and future direction of Marine Institute monitoring programmes and shellfish safety systems, to continually adapt to challenges to ensure the support and enhancement of aquaculture sustainability and food safety into the future.
  • Continue to build a shared understanding and interpretation of food safety risks arising from biotoxin and microbiological contamination, to support risk management decisions and provision of scientific advice.
  • Present recent and ongoing key research which benefits and supports the shellfish aquaculture industry and regulators; and to encourage national and international scientific collaboration with industry, state agencies, researchers, and academic institutions.

The day will include keynote presentations from international colleagues on developments of key importance to shellfish safety in Ireland. In addition, there will be updates and findings presented from national monitoring and research programmes for phytoplankton, biotoxins and microbiological contamination.

This free, in-person event will have a poster session and exhibition stands providing an opportunity for further discussion and to meet with representatives and colleagues from a variety of state agencies, academic and research institutions, and the shellfish industry in an informal environment.

A confirmed agenda and timeline will be provided by the end of September. If you are interested in attending, please register via https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/12th-shellfish-safety-workshop-tickets-689215822077