	OFFICE OF SHELLFISH PROGRAMS
	Post Office Box 47824
	Olympia, Washington 98504-7824

	MARINE BIOTOXIN MONITORING PROGRAM


Sample Collection

*	Samples must yield at least 120 grams of meat for processing (approx. 4 oz.).  Shellfish must be in the shell and fresh.  

*	Sample size is according to the following table:

 	Species					     Number to Submit

	Oysters						  8  -  10
 	Butter Clams						  8  -  10
 	Littleneck, Manila clams			         	30  -  40
 	Horse Clams						  3  -    4
 	Eastern Softshells				         	10  -  12
 	Blue Mussels					          	75  -100
 	California Mussels					  5  -    6
 	Rock Scallops					  2  -    3
 	Pink Scallops					        	30  -  40
	Geoduck						  3  -    6

*	These numbers are based on average-size specimens.

*	Do not submit specimens with cracked or crushed shells.

*	Place shellfish in a waterproof plastic bag.

*	Do not mix species (only one species per bag).

Handling

*	Do not hold shellfish in seawater or freshwater at any time after collection, however, rinsing with seawater or freshwater to remove sediment is recommended.

*	If samples must be held prior to shipment, keep refrigerated. Putrid or 	decomposed samples will not be processed. 

Data Forms

*	Complete the form using black ink.

*	Fill in dates collected and submitted, species and number of organisms.


Shipment

*	Place samples in a sealable container, such as a cardboard box. Paraffin cardboard buckets are available upon request from the Office of Shellfish Programs at (360) 236-3330.

*	Ice packs should be used to refrigerate samples during shipment.

*	Include one Shellfish Biotoxin Sample Form  for each sample submitted. Place form in a separate waterproof plastic bag.

*	Submit samples as early in the week as possible. Samples can be shipped UPS or Greyhound. Call the Office of Shellfish Programs at (360) 236-3330 for other transportation arrangements.

*	All PSP samples must be sent to the following address:

 		Washington State Department of Health
 		Public Health Laboratory
		Attention:  Biotoxin Lab
 		1610 NE 150th Street
 		Shoreline, WA 98155


									
Test Results

*	Test results will be available from one to several days, depending upon laboratory 	workload.

*	All  tests results will be released through the Office of Shellfish Programs at (360) 	236-3314.


Rev  8/22/01
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