Temporary ban on shellfish harvesting at River Nene due to raised bacteria levels

Routine sampling by the council discovered levels of naturally occurring bacteria in the shellfish had increased, which is likely to have been caused by recent high rainfall.

The council has now issued a temporary closure notice of shellfish beds near the mouth of the Nene, prohibiting the commercial harvesting of shellfish until bacterial levels return to normal

Cllr Samantha Hoy, Fenland District Council’s portfolio holder for environmental health, said: “The council’s Environmental Health team undertakes routine sampling of shellfish which are commercially harvested to ensure the quality of shellfish remains high.

“The prohibition is purely a precautionary measure as all cockles and mussels commercially harvested from the mouth of the River Nene are purified or heat treated prior to being sold for human consumption. Further sampling is being carried out and the ban will be removed once bacterial levels return to normal.”

While the temporary ban only applies to the commercial collection of shellfish by food business operators, the council is strongly advising members of the public not to collect and consume shellfish from the mouth of the Nene.

For further information, contact the council’s Environmental Health team at: [email protected].