Liverpool Bay Sanitary Survey Review
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www.cefas.defra.gov.uk Liverpool Bay Sanitary Survey Review September 2013 Cover photo: Low tide at Holylake on the North Wirral shore This document/publication is also available on our website at: http://www.cefas.defra.gov.uk/our-science/animal-health-and-food-safety/food- safety/sanitary-surveys/england-and-wales.aspx Any enquiries regarding this document/publication should be sent to us at: For enquires relating to this report or For enquires relating to policy matters on further information on the implementation the implementation of sanitary surveys in of sanitary surveys in England and England: Wales: Simon Kershaw Karen Pratt Food Safety Group Hygiene Delivery Branch Cefas Weymouth Laboratory Enforcement and Delivery Division Barrack Road, Food Standards Agency The Nothe Aviation House WEYMOUTH 125 Kingsway Dorset London DT43 8UB WC2B 6NH +44 (0) 1305 206600 +44 (0) 20 7276 8000 [email protected] [email protected] © Crown copyright, 2013. STATEMENT OF USE: Under EC Regulation 854/2004 which lays down specific rules for official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption a sanitary survey relevant to bivalve mollusc beds in Liverpool Bay was undertaken in 2011. This provided an appropriate hygiene classification zoning and monitoring plan based on the best available information with detailed supporting evidence. The FSA is committed to reviewing sanitary surveys every six years or sooner if significant changes in pollution sources or the fishery have occurred that may require revision of the sampling plan. This report provides a review of information and recommendations for a revised sampling plan following an application for classification of subtidal clam species north of Hoyle Bank in 2012. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) undertook this work on behalf of the Food Standards Agency (FSA). CONSULTATION: Consultee Date of consultation Date of response Environment Agency 09/07/2013 06/08/2013 North West IFCA 01/10/2013 01/10/2013 Mersey Port Health Authority 09/07/2013 07/08/13 United Utilities Plc 24/07/2013 None RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE: Cefas, 2013. Review of the Liverpool Bay 2011 Sanitary Survey. Cefas report on behalf of the Food Standards Agency, to demonstrate compliance with the requirements for classification of bivalve mollusc production areas in England and Wales under of EC Regulation No. 854/2004. 4 Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 6 1.1. Background ............................................................................................................ 6 1.2. Liverpool Bay Review ............................................................................................. 6 2. Shellfisheries ................................................................................................................ 8 3. Overall Assessment .................................................................................................... 10 4. Sampling Plan ............................................................................................................ 11 4.1. Recommendations ................................................................................................ 11 4.2. General Information .............................................................................................. 13 5. Pollution Sources ........................................................................................................ 17 5.1. Population ............................................................................................................. 17 5.2. Sewage ................................................................................................................. 19 5.3. Agriculture ............................................................................................................ 29 5.4. Wildlife .................................................................................................................. 30 5.5. Pollution sources recommendations ..................................................................... 31 6. Hydrodynamics ........................................................................................................... 32 7. Rainfall ........................................................................................................................ 33 8. Microbiological Monitoring Results ............................................................................. 34 9. References ................................................................................................................. 37 APPENDICES .................................................................................................................... 39 APPENDIX I ....................................................................................................................... 40 Shoreline Survey ............................................................................................................... 40 APPENDIX II ...................................................................................................................... 52 Liverpool Bay Sanitary Survey Report 2011 ................................................................... 52 5 1. Introduction 1.1. Background The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) is performing sanitary surveys for new bivalve mollusc production areas (BMPAs) in England and Wales, on behalf of the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The purposes of the sanitary surveys are to demonstrate compliance with the requirements stated in Annex II (Chapter II paragraph 6) of EC Regulation 854/2004, whereby ‘if the competent authority decides in principle to classify a production or relay area it must: (a) make an inventory of the sources of pollution of human or animal origin likely to be a source of contamination for the production areas; (b) examine the quantities of organic pollutants which are released during the different periods of the year, according to the seasonal variations of both human and animal populations in the catchment area, rainfall readings, waste-water treatment, etc.; (c) determine the characteristics of the circulation of pollutants by virtue of current patterns, bathymetry and the tidal regime in the production area; and (d) establish a sampling programme of bivalve molluscs in the production area which is based on the examination of established data, and with a number of samples, a geographical distribution of the sampling points and a sampling frequency which must ensure that the results of the analysis are as representative as possible for the area considered.’ In line with the EURL Good Practice Guide Cefas is contracted to undertake reviews of sanitary surveys on behalf of the Food Standards Agency. Reviews are to be undertaken six yearly intervals after the original sanitary survey or sooner and where there are changes to the type and locations of the shellfisheries or significant changes in sources of pollution. 1.2. Liverpool Bay Review This reviews information and makes recommendations for a new classification zone and sampling plan for sub-tidal clams as well as for that for re-classification of cockles based on their current stock distribution. This follows an application for classification of subtidal clam species north of Hoyle Bank in 2012 This review identifies changes to the information presented in the sanitary survey through a brief desk based study and to update the assessment and sampling plan if necessary, as well as providing new information relevant to new classification zones where necessary. 6 Specifically, the review will consider: (a) changes to the shellfishery (b) changes in microbiological monitoring results (c) changes in sources of pollution impacting the production area or new evidence relating to the actual or potential impact of sources (d) changes in land use in the area (e) change in environmental conditions Figure 1.1: Location of Liverpool Bay. 7 2. Shellfisheries Currently, no cockle beds are classified in Liverpool Bay. The beds at Dove Point New Brighton and Leasowe are shown in Figure 2.1 are temporarily de-classified due to low levels of stock in the area. Due to low stock densities, at present all cockle beds are subject to managed closures put in place by the North West Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NW-IFCA). The length of these closures is as yet unknown and will continue until stocks have reached a sufficient density to allow commercial exploitation (at least 20 m-²). It will not be known when the beds will reopen until this year’s spat fall has had a chance to become established, but it is unlikely to be before the beginning of 2014 at the earliest. The commercial harvesting of cockles is undertaken by hand in the intertidal region. A classification for mussels existed in the area until 2010, but the area was declassified due to low stock numbers. Stocks for mussels are not expected to rise to viable levels for the foreseeable future. Extensive clam beds are present in this area and intertidal razor clams are commonly harvested by hand. However, these beds are not commercially viable, with population densities of less than 10 m-² (NW-IFCA, Pers. Comm.). An application for classification of subtidal clams [including Spisula solida (Thick trough shells), Tapes decussates (Palourdes), Lutraria lutraria (Common otter shell), Ensis spp.