ABSTRACT

A unique feature of the shellfish program is that we deal with animals that are frequently eaten alive, raw, and no eviscerated. To ensure that the product reaching the consumer is safe and wholesome, public health professionals have endorsed the National Shellfish Sanitation Program requirements for the harvesting, handling, processing, and shipping of shellfish. This program is also concerned with one type of shellfish processing – depuration. Shellfish from approved and conditionally approved areas may be harvested for marketing without purification when the approved area criteria are met. Shellfish from restricted and open conditionally restricted areas may be harvested for relay or depuration, provided that the required controls are in place and enforced. Wet storage has several functions and provides a reservoir of shellfish that will help to even out supply and demand peaks and valleys, cleanse grit from the mantle cavity, and allow the salinization of the stored shellfish.