Statutory guidance: Biotoxin and phytoplankton monitoring

The risks of marine biotoxins and phytoplankton that infect shellfish and what food businesses can do about them.

Applies to England, Northern Ireland and Wales

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

The risks of marine biotoxins and phytoplankton that infect shellfish and what food businesses can do about them.

St. Austell Bay has been reopened for commercial harvesting as marine biotoxins are within safe limits.

Updated closures section with latest live updates: the Car y Mor Production Area is open and the St Austell Bay Production Area is closed.

Biotoxin and phytoplankton sampling plans for England and Wales updated on 1 September 2026 with new information. The plan for Liverpool Bay has been removed and the plan for Burry Inlet has been amended.

Porthallow is currently closed for commercial harvesting due to the presence of marine biotoxins above safe limits.

Under 9.1 the production areas are currently closed for commercial harvesting due to the presence of marine biotoxins above safe limits was updated to remove Lyme Bay and add Car y Mor

The Biotoxin and Phytoplankton Sampling Plans for England and Wales has been updated. Burry Inlet has been added to the list of production areas currently closed for commercial harvesting due to the presence of marine biotoxins above safe limits.

Lyme Bay has been added to the list of production areas currently closed for commercial harvesting due to the presence of marine biotoxins above safe limits

Biotoxin and phytoplankton sampling plans for England and Wales updated for July