The pristine waters of the Northern Periphery (NP) coastal zone provide an ideal environment for shellfish aquaculture, a low environmental impact industry which has expanded across Europe considerably over the past years, providing employment in remote coastal regions. Its development has however been hampered by episodic contamination of product ... More...
The pristine waters of the Northern Periphery (NP) coastal zone provide an ideal environment for shellfish aquaculture, a low environmental impact industry which has expanded across Europe considerably over the past years, providing employment in remote coastal regions. Its development has however been hampered by episodic contamination of product with naturally occurring biotoxins derived from phytoplankton that are harmful to human health.
Monitoring of the environment for potentially harmful phytoplankton and their biotoxins in shellfish is a requirement in EU member states. Time delays in achieving results, however, cause unnecessary losses to industry, particularly in peripheral regions. This project focuses on the provision of new methodologies that will provide a) rapid, on site analysis for the presence of toxins in shellfish and b) the application of simple procedures whereby harmful phytoplankton events can be predicted.
These techniques are highly suited to peripheral regions. A sustainable service will be put in place providing these methods for industry, thereby facilitating the development of aquaculture throughout the region as forewarning of harmful events is an essential element to further the development of the shellfish aquaculture industry.
a) Provide the aquaculture industry with rapid, safe techniques for the analysis of shellfish for algal toxins. b) Demonstrate how simple models describing the onset of harmful phytoplankton events can be applied through the NP region. c) Provide easier and more effective monitoring of aquaculture waters for the presence of toxic algae in the wat... More...
a) Provide the aquaculture industry with rapid, safe techniques for the analysis of shellfish for algal toxins.
b) Demonstrate how simple models describing the onset of harmful phytoplankton events can be applied through the NP region.
c) Provide easier and more effective monitoring of aquaculture waters for the presence of toxic algae in the water column.
i) Training courses, targeted to industry, institutions and SMEs, on the use of modern, rapid, analysis kits for the detection of toxins in shellfish ii) Establishment of sustainable procedures for the local analysis of biotoxins in shellfish iii) Field studies identifying and showing how the environmental drivers responsible for harmful phytopla... More...
i) Training courses, targeted to industry, institutions and SMEs, on the use of modern, rapid, analysis kits for the detection of toxins in shellfish
ii) Establishment of sustainable procedures for the local analysis of biotoxins in shellfish
iii) Field studies identifying and showing how the environmental drivers responsible for harmful phytoplankton events can be elucidated, and as a consequence how such events can be predicted
During 2009, training courses have been held in Torshavn (Faroe), Floedevigen (Norway), Scalloway (Shetland) and Galway (2009). Joint field studies to assist in the prediction of harmful algal blooms took place in Shetland Islands coastal waters in August 2009. All activities have been reported on the project website at www.nppwater.com More...
During 2009, training courses have been held in Torshavn (Faroe), Floedevigen (Norway), Scalloway (Shetland) and Galway (2009). Joint field studies to assist in the prediction of harmful algal blooms took place in Shetland Islands coastal waters in August 2009. All activities have been reported on the project website at www.nppwater.com