For just over 100 years, the National Shellfish Sanitation Program has ensured that shellfish sold in the U.S. meet standards for human consumption. Maryland plays a key role in the compliance and enforcement of the program’s principles as one of the leaders of commercially exported seafood among coastal states. The work of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) in Maryland and its partnership with state agencies has helped to ensure seafood from the Chesapeake Bay and state waters are safe and healthy to consume. While these efforts are always critical, incidents like the recent Potomac Interceptor sewage spill in the Potomac River highlight the importance of these rigorous quality control measures. In addition to other state monitoring after the Potomac spill, the NSSP has ensured that oysters currently being sold on the market that come from the Chesapeake Bay meet safety standards. In its water quality monitoring, the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) Water and Science Administration has found no evidence that shellfish harvesting waters of the Potomac River are affected by the spill further upstream. MDE will be conducting additional monitoring and confirmation testing before reopening a temporary harvest closure area in the Potomac. Maryland Natural Resources Police help to make sure that regulations are upheld for safe harvest. Similar regulations are enforced at seafood dealers, where shellfish are prepared, shucked, packed for shipping, and sold, including Maryland Department of Health requirements to assure the safety of Maryland’s commercially produced shellfish. This long-term partnership between the NSSP’s safety efforts, other Maryland agencies, and enforcement by NRP helps ensure that shellfish harvested in Maryland are safe to eat. Read the entire article here: ow.ly/44nj50Yn1S3