ABSTRACT
Utilizing the oyster's natural cleansing ability is of great interest to many in the oyster industry. There are many reasons for such interest, including access to closed 'reefs' during shortages from approved waters and attaining obvious marketing benefits by providing a safer oyster for raw consumption. In the US, shellfish harvesting and processing are regulated by each state's shellfish control agency, under the guidance of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program. There are several acceptable methods of cleansing contaminated oysters. Most commercial oystermen are quite capable with a dredge or tongs, however, not all on bottom relaid oysters are recovered during the second harvest. Containers used for depuration and container-relaying must allow free flow of water to the shellfish. Depuration obviously costs more to achieve successful cleansing than relaying Tanks, pumps and plumbing, and influent/effluent treatment systems must be properly engineered, operated and maintained.
