15A NCAC 18A .0706. SHELLFISH SAMPLING PROCEDURES

(a)  Start‑up phase.  When shellfish are delivered to the depuration facility, the following schedule shall be followed:

(1)           One or more shellfish samples (12 or more shellfish per sample) shall be collected for bacterial examination before the shellfish are submitted to the depuration process.

(2)           Three or more shellfish samples, randomly selected from three or more locations in each tank, shall be collected for bacterial examination after 24 hours of depuration.

(3)           Three or more shellfish samples, randomly selected from three or more locations in each tank, shall be collected for bacterial examination after the shellfish have completed the depuration process.

(b)  The above schedule shall be followed until the time that the Division and the facility operator, after review of the results, determine that the shellfish from the area(s) are responding properly to the depuration process, and that the depuration process is successfully reducing bacterial levels.  After the determination, the routine sampling procedures shall be followed.  A routine sampling procedure defining a program of daily sampling shall be established by the Division.  Written permission from the Division must be obtained before the initiation of routine monitoring procedures.

(c)  Any change in laboratory equipment, operators, or procedures, shall be approved by the Division.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A‑230;

Eff. February 1, 1987;

Amended Eff. September 1, 1990.