PRIMROSE

The PRIMROSE project will develop a web-portal system providing a joint front end for transnational forecasts of harmful events for the aquaculture sector. In addition to the HAB forecasting, PRIMROSE will investigate forecasts models for microbial contamination. Reporting procedures will be standardised, and partly automated for an expert evaluator to have information available to make an accurate forecast.

The Marine Institute are the project lead in PRIMROSE. This project follows on from the successful ASIMUTH project, which delivers weekly HAB’s forecast bulletins to the Irish aquaculture industry. To view these bulletins, please click here.

Further information on the PRIMROSE project is available at www.shellfish-safety.eu

PSPSafe: Increasing Risk of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning Events In Ireland

This is a four-year DAFM Funded project where the Marine Institute are the project lead with Atlantic Technological University and University College Dublin.

The project investigates the increasing abundance and distribution of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins, a highly potent group of naturally occurring marine toxins which can occur in shellfish (mussels, oysters, clams, cockles), which, when present, can cause serious illness and fatalities to humans if consumed, posing a serious risk to food safety. A comprehensive sampling and analytical programme targeting these toxins in the water, sediment and shellfish, will be conducted in aquaculture production areas, to identify the causes, timing, environmental factors and mechanistic pathways of toxin occurrence. Novel molecular methods, predictive modelling and risk assessment tools will be developed. The outputs and deliverables of the project will allow for risk management strategies and predictive forecasting tools to be implemented as an early warning system for the aquaculture industry and regulatory competent authorities, thus providing increased assurances to consumer safety and supporting the integrity, quality and commercial reputation of Irish shellfish.

Click here for the PSPSafe website for further information and updates.