ABSTRACT
Depuration is intended to reduce the number of pathogenic organisms that may be present in shellfish harvested from moderately polluted (restricted) waters to such levels that the shellfish will be acceptable for human consumption without further processing. The process is not intended for shellfish from heavily polluted (prohibited) waters nor to reduce the levels of poisonous or deleterious substances which the shellfish may have accumulated from their environment. The acceptability of the depuration process is contingent upon the SSCA exercising very stringent supervision over all phases of the process.
