South Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (SASQAP)

The South Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (SASQAP) is a joint initiative between Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) and the shellfish industries of South Australia. The quality assurance program provides public health protection for consumers of South Australian shellfish. Read more about SASQAP.

Classification status: weekly update

Information about the classification status of Harvesting Areas in South Australia and whether they are 'Open' or 'Closed' for the harvesting of shellfish is updated weekly.

Current status (revised 24 May 2012)

Closures:

  • Port Augusta Growing Area is closed.
  • The Port River Harvesting Area of the Port River Growing Area is closed.
  • The Kellidie Bay East & West Harvesting Areas of the Coffin Bay Growing Area are closed.

Classified growing areas

Only farmed shellfish from classified growing areas are sold for human consumption. The six classifications for growing areas used throughout Australia are:

  • Approved
  • Conditionally approved
  • Closed inactive status
  • Conditionally restricted
  • Restricted
  • Off-shore.

For an area to be classified as 'Approved' it must:

  • undergo and meet the requirements of a sanitary survey to ensure the area is not subject to contamination that presents an actual or potential public health hazard
  • meet prescribed bacteriological water quality criteria.

If adverse conditions are likely to occur in any growing area, SASQAP acts to close these areas as a precautionary measure before any product has been contaminated.