Shellfish
(asked on 13th May 2024) - View Source
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which shellfish waters have been categorised as below class C, or prohibited, for more than one year.
The following 17 classification zones have been prohibited for more than one year: Bailey’s Hard; Prinstead; Thurstaston East; Turnaway Point Relay; Wisemans; Mersey, specifically Wallasey; Dodnor; Aldingham; Plym; Tamar; Lytchett Bay; Fareham Lake Middle; Ribble Channel; Silloth South, specifically Catherinehole Scar; Itchen River; Eling; and Hythe. The following table provides a breakdown of classifications awarded, and the number of areas designated as prohibited for commercial harvesting, each year between 2019 and 2024:
| A | B | C | Total classifications | Areas prohibited for commercial harvesting |
2019 | 27 | 232 | 29 | 288 | 17 |
2020 | 32 | 226 | 30 | 288 | 16 |
2021 | 39 | 253 | 18 | 310 | 17 |
2022 | 60 | 222 | 13 | 295 | 18 |
2023 | 66 | 240 | 9 | 318 | 22 |
Current classifications | 63 | 229 | 8 | 300 | 19 |
Notes:
- These figures were accurate as of 14 May 2024 and are subject to change due to interim classification updates.
- These figures are inclusive of areas which carry seasonal classification on time-limited prohibition.
Annual classification for 2024 will be published on 1 December 2024, however, the current classification stands at 63 class A, 229 class B and 8 class C beds.