Trends in the levels of Escherichia coli in commercially harvested bivalve shellfish from England and Wales, 1999–2008

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 67; no. 1-2; pp. 223 - 227
• Main Authors: Campos, Carlos J.A., Acornley, Richard, Morgan, Owen C., Kershaw, Simon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 15.02.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Bivalve monitoring; Bivalvia; Bivalvia - microbiology; coasts; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; England; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli - growth & development; Escherichia coli - isolation & purification; Fisheries - statistics & numerical data; Food Microbiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Invertebrates; Marine; Marine and brackish environment; Microbiological pollution; microbiological quality; Mollusca; sampling; Sea water ecosystems; Shellfish; Shellfish - microbiology; Shellfish - statistics & numerical data; Synecology; Wales; Water Microbiology; water pollution; Water Pollution - statistics & numerical data; water quality; England; United Kingdom; Great Britain; Europe; Wales; Western Europe; ANE, British Isles, England; ANE, British Isles, Wales; Bivalve monitoring; England; Shellfish; Microbiological pollution; Escherichia coli; Wales; Marine environment; Pollution; Bivalvia; Bacteria; Invertebrata; Mollusca; Enterobacteriaceae
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.11.030

► We assess temporal trends in E. coli in shellfisheries in England and Wales. ► Average E. coli levels reduced in 12% of the shellfisheries in 1999–2008. ► Average E. coli levels increased in 9% of the shellfisheries in 1999–2008. ► Many of these sites were subject to major sewerage improvements in 2000–2005. ► Not all areas where investments were delivered evidenced improved shellfish flesh quality. Temporal trends in Escherichia coli concentrations in bivalve shellfish were examined using data collected from 57 production areas around the coast of England and Wales during 1999–2008. Downward trends were detected in annual geometric means of E. coli in shellfish from 12% of the sampling points. The percentage of class B areas (E. coli⩽4600/100g shellfish in 90% of samples) increased from 69% to 86% during the 10-year period. The improvement in the microbial quality of shellfish is associated with sewerage improvement schemes largely implemented during 2000–2005. Upward trends were detected in 9% of the points. The causes of these increases are not known. It is recommended that quantitative sanitary profiling of shellfish waters and cost–benefit appraisal over long-term planning horizons are considered as part of sewerage investment programmes under the Water Framework Directive. This would allow greater scope to secure protection and improvement of shellfish water quality.