Shellfish Sanitation and Management
Introduction
The Bureau of Public Health oversees the application of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) within the State of Maine. This program is implemented internationally by the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) in order to keep molluscan shellfish safe for human consumption. This is accomplished by making sure that a common set of standards are used to classify shellfish growing areas and handle shellfish when they go to market.
Programs
- Growing Area Program: Biotoxin - Monitors levels of PSP (“Red Tide”) and other marine biotoxins in Maine shellfish
- Growing Area Program: Water Quality - Monitors the water quality at Maine shellfish flats and conducts shoreline surveys to identify sources of pollution
- Volunteer Programs - water quality and phytoplankton monitoring
- Shellfish Dealer Certification and Inspection - Evaluates and certifies Maine wholesale shellfish dealers
- Nearshore Marine Resources Program - Municipal shellfish co-management, state-level management of mussels, marine worms, periwinkles, whelks, subtidal resources, and seaweed
- Environmental Permit Review - Conducts/coordinates environmental impact reviews for permits and projects in the coastal zone.
Presentations, and Additional Information
- Maine Shellfish Handbook, pdf file, 5.26 MB
- Shellfish Identification
- Information on Green Crabs in Maine
- Public Health and Aquaculture Newsletters
- Shellfish handling, tagging, and labeling slide show- pdf file, 2.2 Mb
- Vibrio Certification
- Subscribe to Maine GovDelivery for DMR and Public Health news by e-mail or text
- For certification of clam rings, contact the Dept of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry's Weights and Measures