Florida Administrative Code
5 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
5L - Division of Aquaculture
Chapter 5L-1 - THE COMPREHENSIVE SHELLFISH CONTROL CODE
Section 5L-1.015 - Depuration and Wet Storage Facility Operations
Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1) All plans for construction or remodeling of depuration or wet storage facilities shall be reviewed and approved by the Department. Approval is contigent upon the plan meeting the criteria in Rules 5L-1.005 and 5L-1.010, F.A.C.
(2) Operating procedures for conducting depuration or wet storage shall be reviewed and approved by the Department. Approval is contigent upon the plan meeting the criteria in Rules 5L-1.005 and 5L-1.010, F.A.C.
(3) The Department shall be immediately notified in writing of any changes in equipment or operating procedures.
(4) Source of shellfish - Shellfish shall be accepted for treatment at a depuration or wet storage facility only from areas specified by the Department pursuant to Rule 5L-1.009, F.A.C. The facility supervisor or designated representative shall inspect all containers of untreated shellfish upon arrival at the depuration or wet storage facility to verify that they contain the species and quantity stated on the receiving record.
(5) Shellfish containers - Shellfish shall be accepted for depuration or wet storage treatment and released after treatment in clean containers only. All containers shall be constructed of non-absorbent and rust-proof material, and kept clean and free from foreign matter. Burlap bags or similar absorbent material shall not be used in the treatment tanks, nor for the transportation of shellfish from the facility.
(6) Culling - All untreated shellfish, prior to, or upon arrival at the facility, shall be thoroughly inspected and culled by personnel under the supervision of the facility supervisor or designated representative. All dead shellfish or shellfish in broken or cracked shells shall be destroyed. The facility supervisor or designated representative shall be responsible for the culling and the removal and disposal of dead shellfish or shellfish with broken or cracked shells both before and after treatment.
(7) Washing shellfish - All shellfish shall be thoroughly washed prior to and after treatment. Immersion of shellfish for washing purposes is prohibited.
(8) Containers used in treatment process - All containers used in the treatment process shall be easily cleanable, designed for easy handling, and made of impervious material. Containers shall be of such design to allow water to flow freely over the shellfish in the treatment tanks. Containers shall not be filled beyond the level which will allow free circulation of water during the treatment process. The height of the shellfish in the containers shall be stacked to allow sufficient cleansing. Containers shall be stacked to provide clearance between shellstock and tank bottom as to allow free circulation of water. Containers used for treatment purposes shall not be used for any other purpose, and no containers or other equipment shall be placed in the treatment tanks.
(9) Shellfish treatment - All shellfish, upon receipt at the facility, shall be promptly treated or placed in controlled storage. Shellfish from an approved or conditionally approved harvest area which are to undergo wet storage shall be segregated from shellfish destined for depuration from a restricted or conditional restricted harvest area. Shellfish for wet storage shall be treated by a Department approved scheduled wet storage process (SWSP). Shellfish from restricted or conditionally restricted waters shall undergo a Department approved scheduled depuration process (SDP).
(10) Washing treatment tanks - All systems must be cleaned and sanitized before any lot of shellfish is placed into the treatment tanks. After each 24 hours that the shellfish are in the depuration treatment tanks, the seawater in the tanks shall be drained out and the shellfish hosed down thoroughly. Feces, pseudo-feces, and any other waste matter must be flushed out of the tank. Immediately after hosing, the tanks shall again be filled with treated seawater. Treatment tanks employing some form of refrigeration shall be drained and thoroughly washed after each depuration period or lot of shellfish depurated.
(11) Treatment tank design specifications - water flow must be maintained at a minimum of one gallon per minute per bushel of shellfish or the flow rate recommended by the disinfection systems manufacturer to attain the flow and volume necessary for maximum disinfection. System piping shall include backflow and back siphonage protective devices and be constructed for easy cleaning either directly or through gasket or compression joints.
(12) Ultraviolet (UV) Unit:
Rulemaking Authority 597.020 FS. Law Implemented 597.020 FS.
New 1-4-87, Amended 8-10-88, Formerly 16R-7.021, Amended 7-3-95, Formerly 62R-7.021, Amended 8-9-00, 3-23-17, 4-2-19.