SFPA publishes annual classification list of Ireland's shellfish production areas

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has published the annual classification list for commercial shellfish (bivalve mollusc) production areas across Ireland, assessing classifications of production areas against strict food hygiene standards. As part of the 2026 annual review, 139 classifications were reviewed and of these:

• 17 classifications improved.
• 13 classifications were reduced, though not all were due to reduction in standards of classified area monitoring results, noting:
  • three downgrades were due to insufficient sampling to maintain previous classifications,
  • one was due to an area being declared dormant due to a lack of current production there,
  • the remaining nine reductions related to out of range (elevated) water quality monitoring results in comparison with most recent classification levels of those areas (e.g. B standard results from A classified areas).
• 109 classifications showed no change in status relative to the 2025 annual review.

Live shellfish may only be harvested from production areas that meet strict classification requirements for human consumption, as set out under European and Irish Food law. The SFPA, in collaboration with the shellfish industry, conducts regular shellfish sampling across all production areas, monitoring the levels of bacterial contamination of shellfish to determine the risk and classification status. Each production area is designated a rating that determines the conditions, if any, that must be observed before shellfish can be placed on the market.

2026/27 List of Classified live Bivalve Mollusc Production areas in Ireland can be accessed here: https://www.sfpa.ie/What-We-Do/Molluscan-Shellfish/Classified-Areas