Marine Environment & Food Safety Services (MEFSS) is one of six service groups within the Marine Institute. Its’ work focuses on ensuring consumer protection through seafood safety monitoring/testing services; providing monitoring services in support of protection of marine environmental legislation/obligations; and providing advisory services in support of sustainable development and management of the marine environment. This work is delivered via three core functions; Monitoring, Advice and Technical Support, and Research.

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  • Summary Report on 2022 Residue Monitoring of Irish Farmed Fish & 2022 Border Inspection Post Fishery Product Testing of Samples Received into the Marine Institute

    Glynn, Denise; McGovern, Evin; Reilly, Niamh; Kelly, Corinne; Moffat, R.; Kaur, Navdeep; Toomey, M.; Gordon, Emma (Marine Institute, 2023)
    On behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM), the Marine Institute carries out monitoring of chemical residues in finfish for aquaculture sector. This monitoring is set out in the annual National Residue Control Plan, which is approved by the European Commission, and is an important component of the DAFM food safety controls and is implemented under a service contract with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Since 1999, the Marine Institute has implemented the National Residues Monitoring Programme for aquaculture. This is carried out on behalf of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, which is the responsible organisation for residue controls on farmed finfish. In 2022, in excess of 803 tests and a total of 8,263 measurements were carried out on 138 samples of farmed finfish for a range of residues. Implementation of the Aquaculture 2022 Plan involves taking samples at both farm and processing plant: 92 target samples taken at harvest: 82 farmed salmon and 10 freshwater trout. 46 target samples were taken at other stages of production: 36s salmon smolts and 10 freshwater trout. All 2022 samples were compliant. For target sampling of farmed fish, a summary table of the residue results from 2005 - 2022 is outlined in Table 1. Overall, the outcome for aquaculture remains one of consistently low occurrence of residues in farmed finfish, with no non-compliant target residues results for the period 2006-2014, 0.11% and 0.10% non-compliant target residues results in 2015 and 2016 respectively and no non-compliant target results for the period 2017 to 2022.
  • Epimers of Azaspiracids: Isolation, Structural Elucidation, Relative LC-MS Response, and in Vitro Toxicity of 37-epi-Azaspiracid-1

    Kilcoyne, Jane; McCarron, Pearse; Twiner, Michael J.; Nulty, Ciara; Crain, Sheila; Quilliam, Michael A.; Rise, Frode; Wilkins, Alistair L.; Miles, Christopher O. (American Chemical Society, 2014)
    Since azaspiracid-1 (AZA1) was identified in 1998, the number of AZA analogues has increased to over 30. The development of an LC-MS method using a neutral mobile phase led to the discovery of isomers of AZA1, AZA2, and AZA3, present at ∼2–16% of the parent analogues in phytoplankton and shellfish samples. Under acidic mobile phase conditions, isomers and their parents are not separated. Stability studies showed that these isomers were spontaneous epimerization products whose formation is accelerated with the application of heat. The AZA1 isomer was isolated from contaminated shellfish and identified as 37-epi-AZA1 by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and chemical analyses. Similar analysis indicated that the isomers of AZA2 and AZA3 corresponded to 37-epi-AZA2 and 37-epi-AZA3, respectively. The 37-epimers were found to exist in equilibrium with the parent compounds in solution. 37-epi-AZA1 was quantitated by NMR, and relative molar response studies were performed to determine the potential differences in LC-MS response of AZA1 and 37-epi-AZA1. Toxicological effects were determined using Jurkat T lymphocyte cells as an in vitro cell model. Cytotoxicity experiments employing a metabolically based dye (i.e., MTS) indicated that 37-epi-AZA1 elicited a lethal response that was both concentration- and time-dependent, with EC50 values in the subnanomolar range. On the basis of EC50 comparisons, 37-epi-AZA1 was 5.1-fold more potent than AZA1. This data suggests that the presence of these epimers in seafood products should be considered in the analysis of AZAs for regulatory purposes.
  • Identification of 21,22-Dehydroazaspiracids in Mussels (Mytilus edulis) and in Vitro Toxicity of Azaspiracid-26

    Kilcoyne, Jane; McCarron, Pearse; Twiner, Michael J.; Rise, Frode; Hess, Philipp; Wilkins, Alistair L.; Miles, Christopher O. (American Chemical Society, 2018)
    Azaspiracids (AZAs) are marine biotoxins produced by the genera Azadinium and Amphidoma, pelagic marine dinoflagellates that may accumulate in shellfish resulting in human illness following consumption. The complexity of these toxins has been well documented, with more than 40 structural variants reported that are produced by dinoflagellates, result from metabolism in shellfish, or are extraction artifacts. Approximately 34 μg of a new AZA with MW 823 Da (AZA26 (3)) was isolated from blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), and its structure determined by MS and NMR spectroscopy. AZA26, possibly a bioconversion product of AZA5, lacked the C-20–C-21 diol present in all AZAs reported thus far and had a 21,22-olefin and a keto group at C-23. Toxicological assessment of 3 using an in vitro model system based on Jurkat T lymphocyte cells showed the potency to be ∼30-fold lower than that of AZA1. The corresponding 21,22-dehydro-23-oxo-analogue of AZA10 (AZA28) and 21,22-dehydro analogues of AZA3, -4, -5, -6, -9, and -10 (AZA25, -48 (4), -60, -27, -49, and -61, respectively) were also identified by HRMS/MS, periodate cleavage reactivity, conversion from known analogues, and NMR (for 4 that was present in a partially purified sample of AZA7).
  • Summary Report on 2021 Residue Monitoring of Irish Farmed Fish & 2021 Border Inspection Post Fishery Product Testing undertaken at the Marine Institute

    Glynn, Denise; McGovern, Evin; Farragher, E.; Kelly, Corrine; Moffat, R.; Kaur, Navdeep; Toomey, M. (Marine Institute, 2022)
    On behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM), the Marine Institute carries out monitoring of chemical residues in finfish for aquaculture sector. This monitoring is set out in the annual National Residue Control Plan, which is approved by the European Commission, and is an important component of the DAFM food safety controls and is implemented under a service contract with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Since 1999, the Marine Institute has implemented the National Residues Monitoring Programme for aquaculture. This is carried out on behalf of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, which is the responsible organisation for residue controls on farmed finfish. In 2021, in excess of 632 tests and a total of 1,870 measurements were carried out on 120 samples of farmed finfish for a range of residues. Implementation of the Aquaculture 2021 Plan involves taking samples at both farm and processing plant: *80 target samples taken at harvest: 70 farmed salmon and 10 freshwater trout. *40 target samples were taken at other stages of production: 30 salmon smolts and 10 freshwater trout. All 2021 samples were compliant. For target sampling of farmed fish, a summary table of the residue results from 2005 - 2021 is outlined in Table 1. Overall, the outcome for aquaculture remains one of consistently low occurrence of residues in farmed finfish, with no non-compliant target residues results for the period 2006-2014, 0.11% and 0.10% non-compliant target residues results in 2015 and 2016 respectively and no non-compliant target results for the period 2017 to 2021.
  • Summary Report on 2020 Residue Monitoring of Irish Farmed Finfish & 2020 Border Inspection Post Fishery Product Testing undertaken at the Marine Institute

    Glynn, Denise; McGovern, Evin; Farragher, E.; Kelly, Corinne; Moffat, R.; Kaur, Navdeep; Toomey, M. (Marine Institute, 2021)
    As with other farmed animals, farmed finfish can be subject to disease and infestation which can have animal welfare, environmental and commercial implications. Therefore, authorised veterinary medicines and treatments may be used, and sometimes must be used, to control disease and infestation as part of health control plans e.g. antibacterial and antiparasitic treatments. The National Residues Control Plan (NRCP) sets out the monitoring requirements for residues in animal products in accordance with Official Control Regulation 2017/625 and Annexes of Council Directive 96/23/EC of 29 April 1996 on measures to monitor certain substances and residues thereof in animals and animal products. Under EU legislation (Article 19 of Official Control Regulation (EU) 2017/625, each member state is required to implement a residue monitoring plan and to submit their programmes annually to the European Commission for approval. Ireland’s National Residue Control Programme (NRCP) for 2020 was approved by the European Commission. On behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM), the Marine Institute carries out monitoring of chemical residues for aquaculture. The main objectives of the NRCP for Aquaculture are to ensure farmed fish are fit for human consumption, to provide a body of data showing that Irish farmed fish is of high quality, to promote good practices in aquaculture and to comply with Official Control Regulation 2017/625 and Annexes of EU Directive 96/23/EC. In 2020, in excess of 626 tests and a total of 1,888 measurements were carried out on 120 samples of farmed finfish for a range of residues. Implementation of the Aquaculture 2020 Plan involves taking samples at both farm and processing plant: * 80 target samples taken at harvest: 70 farmed salmon and 10 freshwater trout. * 40 target samples were taken at other stages of production: 30 salmon smolts and 10 freshwater trout. All 2020 samples were compliant. For target sampling of farmed fish, a summary table of the residue results from 2005 - 2020 is outlined in Table 1. Overall, the outcome for aquaculture remains one of consistently low occurrence of residues in farmed finfish, with no non-compliant target residues results for the period 2006-2014, 0.11% and 0.10% non-compliant target residues results in 2015 and 2016 respectively and no non-compliant target results for the period 2017 to 2020.
  • Summary Report on 2019 Residue Monitoring of Irish Farmed Fish & 2019 Border Inspection Post Fishery Product Testing undertaken at the Marine Institute

    Glynn, D.; McGovern, E.; Farragher, E.; Kelly, Corrine; Moffat, R.; Toomey, M. (Marine Institute, 2020)
    On behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM), the Marine Institute carries out monitoring of chemical residues in finfish for aquaculture sector. This monitoring is set out in the annual National Residue Control Plan, which is approved by the European Commission, and is an important component of the DAFM food safety controls and is implemented under a service contract with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Since 1999, the Marine Institute has implemented the National Residues Monitoring Programme for aquaculture. This is carried out on behalf of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, which is the responsible organisation for residue controls on farmed finfish. In 2019, in excess of 912 tests and a total of 2,601 measurements were carried out on 176 samples of farmed finfish for a range of residues. Implementation of the Aquaculture 2019 Plan involves taking samples at both farm and processing plant: *118 target samples taken at harvest: 105 farmed salmon and 13 freshwater trout. * 58 target samples were taken at other stages of production: 50 salmon smolts and 8 freshwater trout. All 2019 samples were compliant. For target sampling of farmed fish, a summary table of the residue results from 2005 - 2019 is outlined in Table 1. Overall, the outcome for aquaculture remains one of consistently low occurrence of residues in farmed finfish, with no non-compliant target residues results for the period 2006-2014, 0.11% and 0.10% non-compliant target residues results in 2015 and 2016 respectively and no non-compliant target results for the period 2017 to 2019.
  • Summary Report on 2018 Residue Monitoring of Irish Farmed Finfish & 2018 Border Inspection Post Fishery Product Testing undertaken at the Marine Institute

    Glynn, D.; McGovern, E.; Kelly, C.; Moffat, R.; Farragher, E. (Marine Institute, 2019)
    On behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM), the Marine Institute carries out monitoring of chemical residues in finfish for aquaculture sector. This monitoring is set out in the annual National Residue Control Plan, which is approved by the European Commission, and is an important component of the DAFM food safety controls and is implemented under a service contract with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Since 1999, the Marine Institute has implemented the National Residues Monitoring Programme for aquaculture. This is carried out on behalf of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, which is the responsible organisation for residue controls on farmed finfish. In 2018, in excess of 920 tests and a total of 2,611 measurements were carried out on 171 samples of farmed finfish for a range of residues. Implementation of the Aquaculture 2018 Plan involves taking samples at both farm and processing plant: • 123 target samples taken at harvest: 110 farmed salmon and 13 freshwater trout. • 48 target samples were taken at other stages of production: 40 salmon smolts and 8 freshwater trout. All 2018 samples were compliant. For target sampling of farmed fish, a summary table of the residue results from 2005 - 2018 is outlined in Table 1. Overall, the outcome for aquaculture remains one of consistently low occurrence of residues in farmed finfish, with no non-compliant target residues results for the period 2006-2014, 0.11% and 0.10% non-compliant target residues results in 2015 and 2016 respectively and no non-compliant target results in 2017 and 2018.
  • Decreased Performance of Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss Emergence Behaviors Following Embryonic Exposure to Benzo[a]pyrene

    Ostrander, G.K.; Anderson, J.J. (United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1990)
    The sublethal effects induced by a model carcinogen and environmental contaminant on salmonid emergence behaviors have been studied. Rainbow trout embryos were exposed for 24 hours to 25 IAg/mL of benzo[a)pyrene 1 week prior to hatching. Exposures occurred during the late organogenesis period of development and allowed assessment of how a single embryonic exposure might affect emergence behaviors nearly 6 weeks later. Though no differences in numbers of alevins successfully emerging were observed, a significant decrease was noted in performance of the upstream orientation behaviors characteristic ofemergence among wild individuals.These findings are discussed in terms ofa model describing the role of upstream swimming behavior after emergence.
  • Monitoring results for trace metals and organohalogens in shellfish (2015) and physicochemical parameters and trace metals in seawater (2016) in accordance with Shellfish Waters Directive. CHEMREP 2018-003

    Marine Institute (Marine Institute, 2018)
    Directive 2006/113/EC on the Quality Required of Shellfish Waters, also referred to as the Shellfish Waters Directive (SWD) requires the monitoring of, inter alia, certain physicochemical parameters including trace metal contaminants in order to assess and protect the quality of shellfish growing waters and the shellfish harvested from them. The SWD is concerned with the quality of shellfish waters and applied waters designated by the Member States as needing protection or improvement in order to support shellfish (bivalve and gastropod molluscs) life and growth and thus to contribute to the high quality of shellfish products directly edible by man. This report details the Marine Institute’s (MI) monitoring results for physicochemical parameters sampled in seawater and shellfish tissue from designated Shellfish Waters and specifically: Dissolved trace metal concentrations and other physiochemical parameters in seawater sampled from Irish Shellfish Waters in 2016 and trace metal and organohalogen concentrations in shellfish sampled in 2015.
  • Summary Report on 2017 Residue Monitoring of Irish Farmed Finfish and 2017 Border Inspection Post Fishery Product Testing undertaken at the Marine Institute

    Marine Institute (Marine Institute, 2018-11-27)
    On behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM), the Marine Institute carries out monitoring of chemical residues in finfish for aquaculture sector. This monitoring is set out in the annual National Residue Control Plan, which is approved by the European Commission, and is an important component of the DAFM food safety controls and is implemented under a service contract with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Since 1999, the Marine Institute has implemented the National Residues Monitoring Programme for aquaculture. This is carried out on behalf of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, which is the responsible organisation for residue controls on farmed finfish. The outcome for residues levels in farmed finfish during 2017 remains one of consistently low occurrence. In 2017, in excess of 775 tests and a total of 2,250 measurements were carried out on 141 samples of farmed finfish for a range of chemical substances, including banned and unauthorised substances, various authorised veterinary treatments and environmental contaminants.
  • Summary Report on 2016 Residue Monitoring of Irish Farmed Finfish and 2016 Border Inspection Post Fishery Product Testing undertaken at the Marine Institute

    Marine Institute (Marine Institute, 2018)
    On behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM), the Marine Institute carries out monitoring of chemical residues in finfish for aquaculture sector. This monitoring is set out in the annual National Residue Control Plan, which is approved by the European Commission, and is an important component of the DAFM food safety controls and is implemented under a service contract with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Since 1999, the Marine Institute has implemented the National Residues Monitoring Programme for aquaculture. This is carried out on behalf of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, which is the responsible organisation for residue controls on farmed finfish. The outcome for residues levels in farmed finfish during 2016 remains one of consistently low occurrence. In 2016, in excess of 691 tests and a total of 1,933 measurements were carried out on 136 samples (i.e. 126 target samples & 10 suspect samples) of farmed finfish for a range of chemical substances, including banned and unauthorised substances, various authorised veterinary treatments and environmental contaminants.
  • Creating a weekly Harmful Algal Bloom bulletin

    Leadbetter, A.; Silke, J.; Cusack, C. (Marine Institute, 2018)
    This document describes the procedural steps in creating an information product focused on toxic and harmful phytoplankton. The product is an online Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) bulletin for aquaculturists, who can face serious operational challenges in the days after a HAB event. Data from satellite, numerical hydrodynamic models and In-situ ocean observations are organised and presented into visual information products. These products are enhanced through local expert evaluation and their interpretation is summarised in the bulletin. This document aims to provide both process overviews (the “what” of the Best Practice in producing the bulletins) and detail procedures (the “how” of the Best Practice”) so that the bulletins may be replicated in other geographic regions.
  • Reproductive Failure of Landlocked Atlantic Salmon from New York's Finger Lakes: Investigations into the Etiology and Epidemiology of the “Cayuga Syndrome”

    Fisher, J.P.; Spitsbergen, J.M.; Rodman, G.; symula, j. (American Fisheries Society, 1995)
    We describe a disease syndrome that afflicts larval, landlocked Atlantic salmon Salmo salar from Cayuga Lake, one of central New York's Finger Lakes. Mortality associated with the “Cayuga syndrome” is 98–100%. Death usually occurs between 650 and 850 centigrade degreedays after fertilization, approximately 2–4 weeks before yolk resorption is complete. Although there is minor temporal variation in the onset of the Cayuga syndrome in progeny from individual females, all sac fry eventually succumb. Incubation of embryos and sac fry under constant, ambient, or reduced temperature regimens slightly alters the degree-day timing of syndrome onset, but does not improve survival. Based on mortality rate, manifestation of the Cayuga syndrome has not changed in the past 10 years, even though incubation waters of varying chemistry and temperature have been used. Mortality of the negative control stocks used for these studies never exceeded 10% from hatching to first feeding. Findings from reciprocal crossbreeding experiments indicate the problem is associated with ova only. A noninfectious etiology is indicated by the lack of consistently identifiable fish pathogens from syndrome-afflicted sac fry and by the failure to transmit the condition horizontally. Suspect contaminants were eliminated as potential causative factors. Epidemiological studies on the viability of other Finger Lakes stocks indicate that Atlantic salmon from Keuka and Seneca lakes are also afflicted (100% mortality). yet those from Skaneateles Lake are not. The cause of this syndrome appears to be nutritional.
  • Summary Report on 2015 Residue Monitoring of Irish Farmed Finfish and 2015 Border Inspection Post Fishery and Fishery Product Sample Testing

    Residues Monitoring Programme, Chemistry Section, Marine Environmental Food Safety Services (Marine Institute, 2017)
    On behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM), the Marine Institute carries out monitoring of chemical residues in finfish for aquaculture sector. This monitoring is set out in the annual National Residue Control Plan, which is approved by the European Commission, and is an important component of the DAFM food safety controls and is implemented under a service contract with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Since 1999, the Marine Institute has implemented the National Residues Monitoring Programme for aquaculture. This is carried out on behalf of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, which is the responsible organisation for residue controls on farmed finfish. The outcome for residues levels in farmed finfish during 2015 remains one of consistently low occurrence. In 2015, in excess of 676 tests and a total of 1,845 measurements were carried out on 128 samples (i.e. 124 target samples & 4 suspect samples) of farmed finfish for a range of chemical substances, including banned and unauthorised substances, various authorised veterinary treatments and environmental contaminants.
  • Monitoring trace metals and organohalogens in shellfish (2014) and physicochemical parameters and trace metals in seawater (2015) under the Shellfish Waters Directive

    Environmental Team, Chemistry Section, Marine Environment & Food Safety Services (Marine Institute, 2017)
    Directive 2006/113/EC on the Quality Required of Shellfish Waters, also referred to as the Shellfish Waters Directive (SWD) requires the monitoring of, inter alia, certain physicochemical parameters including trace metal contaminants in order to assess and protect the quality of shellfish growing waters and the shellfish harvested from them. Sixty-four areas have been designated as Shellfish Waters (SWs) under SI 268 of 2006, SI 55 of 2009 and SI 464 of 2009. The SWD is concerned the quality of shellfish waters and applied waters designated by the Member States as needing protection or improvement in order to support shellfish (bivalve and gastropod molluscs) life and growth and thus to contribute to the high quality of shellfish products directly edible by man. The Marine Institute undertakes a monitoring programme to meet the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2000/60/EC Transitional and Coastal (TraC) Waters and physico-chemical elements of the SWD.
  • Observations on a bloom of Flagellate "X" in the West of Ireland

    Dunne, T. (ICES, 1984)
    In July 1983 major mortalities of farmed trout and salmon were associated with a bloom of an unidentified organism hitherto unrecorded in Ireland. Three further blooms occurred in 1984, two of which were associated with mortalities. The morphology of this organism (Flagellate "X") as observed in 1983 is described.
  • Dinophysis species in Irish waters 1990 - 1993

    Jackson, D.; Silke, J. (ICES, 1993)
    The distribution and abundance of Dinophysis species as recorded in the national phytoplankton monitoring programme are described. An apparent spread in the occurrence of Dinophysis to the west coast of Ireland is reported. The lack of correlation between the concentrations of Dinophysis in the water and DSP toxicity in shellfish is reported on and discussed.
  • The occurrence of DSP toxicity in Ireland

    Jackson, D.; Silke, J.; Doyle, J.; Nixon, E.; Taaffe, B. (ICES, 1993)
    The geographical and temporal variations in the occurrence of DSP in Ireland are presented and the implications of the resulting closures on aquaculture operations and fisheries are discussed. Prior to 1992 DSP toxicity had been confined to the southwest and south coasts but in 1992 a protracted occurrence of DSP was recorded in Killary Harbour on the west coast.
  • Observed sequential occurrence of phytoplankton and zooplankton in the Dunkellin Estuary, Galway Bay, Ireland

    Byrne, P.; O'Mahony, J.H.T. (ICES, 1993)
    The Dunkellin is a small tidally-dominated estuary to the south-east of Galway Bay in western Ireland. The plankton of the estuary was studied for 18 months between December 1984 and July 1986. This paper presents results on the variation in the sequential occurrenCe of phytoplankton and zooplankton between the inner and outer estuary. Phytoplankton and microzooplankton occurred in high numbers in the spring to autumn months. Highest abundances of phytoplankton and microzooplankton (non-tintinnid ciliates and tintinnid ciliates) were recorded 10 the Inner estuary, whereas mesozooplankton were predominant in the outer reaches.
  • Cork Harbour PSP incident

    Doyle, J.; Dunne, T. (1985)
    Gonyaulax tamarensis is one of the principle organisms involved in Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning in Europe and North America. P.S.P. has not been described in Irish waters with the exception of one incidence in Belfast Lough and also in Kerry in the late 1800s, although this cannot be verified. G. tamarensis has only been recorded in Irish waters as individual organisms and no bloom has been described up to this.

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