Poole Harbour has a thriving shellfish trade, including cockles, oysters, mussels and clams.

We monitor the safety of local shellfish by monthly sampling of the seawater and the flesh of shellfish. We do this as part of the:

• National Classification of Shellfish Harvesting Areas
• National Algal Toxin Monitoring Programme

Shellfish Registration Documents

Shellfish Registration Documents are an important part of the public health control measures in place to make sure that shellfish sold for human consumption is safe and are available free of charge by emailing porthealth@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.

Registration documents should be completed by the shellfish gatherer and must stay with each batch of live bivalve molluscs for example, cockles, clams, mussels and oysters, and marine gastropods for example winkles and whelks, at all times from harvesting through to delivery, for example to a purification centre.

The shellfish trade is also regulated by other Agencies, such as the Marine Management Organisation and Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority. Areas covered include: shellfish harvesting seasons, minimum landing sizes and licensing of fishing vessels.

Extensive information, including training courses and resources, are provided for the shellfish industry by Seafish and their partner organisation the Seafood Training Academy.