Lough Foyle Sanitary Survey Report
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Sanitary Survey Report and Sampling Plan for Lough Foyle Produced by AQUAFACT International Services Ltd On behalf of The Loughs Agency The Food Standards Agency of Northern Ireland The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority April 2010 AQUAFACT INTERNATIONAL SERVICES ltd 12 KILKERRIN park TUAM rd GALWAY city www.aquafact.ie [email protected] tel +353 (0) 91 756812 fax +353 (0) 91 756888 Table of Contents Glossary 1. Executive Summary .......................................................................................... 1 2. Overview of the Fishery/Production Area ........................................................ 3 2.1. Location/Extent of Growing/Harvesting Area ..................................................... 3 2.2. Description of the Area ....................................................................................... 6 2.3. Description of Species ....................................................................................... 10 2.3.1. Blue Mussels (Mytilus edulis) .......................................................................... 10 2.3.1.1. General Biology ........................................................................................... 10 2.3.1.2. Distribution ................................................................................................. 13 2.3.1.3. Fishery ......................................................................................................... 16 2.3.2. Native Oysters (Ostrea edulis) ......................................................................... 20 2.3.2.1. General Biology ........................................................................................... 20 2.3.2.2. Distribution ................................................................................................. 21 2.3.2.3. Fishery ......................................................................................................... 24 2.3.3. Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea gigas) ................................................................. 26 2.3.3.1. General Biology ........................................................................................... 26 2.3.3.2. Distribution ................................................................................................. 27 2.3.3.3. Fishery ......................................................................................................... 27 3. Hydrography/Hydrodynamics ........................................................................ 28 3.1. Tides & Currents ................................................................................................ 28 3.2. Rainfall Data ....................................................................................................... 36 3.2.1. Amount & Time of Year ................................................................................... 36 3.2.2. Frequency of Significant Rainfalls ................................................................... 43 3.3. Wind and Waves ................................................................................................ 45 3.4. River Discharges ................................................................................................ 51 3.5. Depth ................................................................................................................. 54 3.6. Salinity ............................................................................................................... 54 3.7. Simple/Complex Models ................................................................................... 59 3.8. Discussion .......................................................................................................... 60 4. Identification of Pollution Sources ................................................................. 61 4.1. Summary of Sources and Locations ................................................................... 61 4.2. Desktop Survey .................................................................................................. 61 4.2.1. Human Population & Activities ....................................................................... 61 4.2.2. Tourism ............................................................................................................ 66 4.2.3. Sewage Discharges .......................................................................................... 68 4.2.3.1. Continuous Sewage Discharges .................................................................. 69 4.2.3.2. Rainfall Dependent Sewage Discharges ..................................................... 81 4.2.3.3. Emergency Discharges ................................................................................ 94 4.2.4. Industrial Discharges ....................................................................................... 97 4.2.5. Landuse Discharges ....................................................................................... 100 4.2.6. Other Pollution Sources ................................................................................. 116 4.2.6.1. Shipping ..................................................................................................... 116 4.2.6.2. Birds .......................................................................................................... 118 4.3. Shoreline Survey Report .................................................................................. 121 4.4. Locations of Sources ........................................................................................ 132 5. Sampling Information .................................................................................... 150 5.1. Sampling Points ............................................................................................... 150 5.2. Microbial Analysis Results ............................................................................... 158 5.3. Historical Data ................................................................................................. 164 5.3.1. Shellfish Water Quality .................................................................................. 164 5.3.2. Shellfish Flesh Quality ................................................................................... 168 6. Expert Assessment of the Effect of Contamination on Shellfish ..................... 189 7. Sampling Plan ................................................................................................ 191 7.1. Identification of Production Area Boundaries & RMPs ................................... 191 7.1.1. Production Area 1 & RMPs ............................................................................ 193 7.1.2. Production Area 2 & RMPs ............................................................................ 195 7.1.3. Production Area 3 & RMPs ............................................................................ 197 7.1.4. Production Area 4 & RMPs ............................................................................ 199 7.1.5. Sampling Methodology ................................................................................. 201 7.1.5.1. Time of sampling ....................................................................................... 201 7.1.5.2. Frequency of Sampling .............................................................................. 201 7.1.5.3. Sampling method ...................................................................................... 202 7.1.5.4. Size of individual animals .......................................................................... 202 7.1.5.5. Sample composition .................................................................................. 202 7.1.5.6. Preparation of samples ............................................................................. 202 7.1.5.7. Sample transport ...................................................................................... 202 7.1.5.8. Sample Submission form ........................................................................... 203 7.1.5.9. Delivery of samples ................................................................................... 203 8. References .................................................................................................... 204 List of Figures Figure 2.1: Mussel grounds located within Lough Foyle (Source: CEFAS, 2007 & Loughs Agency). ...... 3 Figure 2.2: Oyster grounds located within Lough Foyle (Source: CEFAS, 2007 & Loughs Agency). ...... 5 Figure 2.3: Oyster density class in Lough Foyle (Source: The Loughs Agency). ................................... 5 Figure 2.4: Mussel distribution in Lough Foyle by size class based on average size in the catch (Source: CEFAS, 2007). ........................................................................................................... 14 Figure 2.5: Mussel distribution in Lough Foyle by type (Source: CEFAS, 2007). ................................ 15 Figure 2.6: Blue mussel landings into Greencastle for 2003‐2009 (Source: SFPA). ............................ 17 Figure 2.7: Blue mussel landings into Moville for 2003‐2008 (Source: SFPA). .................................. 17 Figure 2.8: Blue mussel landings into Lisahally for 2003‐2009 (Source: LPHC). ................................ 18 Figure 2.9: Oyster density class in Lough Foyle (Source: The Loughs Agency). ................................. 22 Figure 2.10: Distribution of oysters in Lough Foyle based on size class (Source: CEFAS, 2007). ........ 23 Figure 2.11: Native