| Shellfish production, and production of marine bivalve molluscs in particular, is the main form of marine aquaculture in the European Union, with a production estimated at 1,200,000 tons in 1999 (Food and Agricultural Organization). Moreover, aquaculture production is rapidly expanding throughout Europe and is becoming a major economic resource in developing areas such as Northern Greece, Ireland, and northwestern Spain. These shellfish, mainly mussels, oysters, and clams, are produced in a natural environment. Due to variations in their environment, these otherwise edible species may however become unsafe for human consumption. Potential problems are amplified due to the nature of shellfish themselves: as they are filter feeders, they consume large... |
