Workshop: Vibrio: Impact on Rhode Island Shellfish Industry

UIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND LIFE SCIENCES
FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAM
Department 01 Nutrition and Food Sciences. 530 Liberty Lane. West Kingston . RI 02892 USA
p: 401 .874.2972/401 .874.2977 f: 401 .874.2994

 

Date: September 20, 2010

To: RI Shellfish Growers, Harvesters and Processors

From: Lori F. Pivarnik, Coordinator, Food Safety Outreach/Research, Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, University of Rhode Island

Subject: Workshop: Vibrio: Impact on Rhode Island Shellfish Industry; RSVP required

 

I would like to announce a workshop being offered to RI shellfish growers, harvesters and processors regarding the impact of Vibrio (with emphasis on Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp)) on the shellfish industry. Many of you are already familiar with the concerns of this bacteria regarding the safety of the shellfish that you harvest and sell; however, the purpose of this workshop will not only be to bring everyone up to date regarding the potential health hazards, but specifically deal with the prevalence of Vp (both disease and non-disease causing stra ins) in Rhode Island waters and potential future regulatory developments through the ISSe.

At the end of August, 2010, there was a lab-confirmed case of Vp illness that came from RI shellfish. The ISSC 2007 Model Ordinance includes Vp control guidance and affirms that the state must implement a plan that "includes specific control measures for the months in which the total number of Vp illnesses is two or more in a three (3) year period" . Unfortunately, we are half way there. Control measures can include anything from post harvest processing to closing the area or restricting harvested product to cooking only. This workshop will provide valuable information to growers, harvesters, dealers and processors about what the Vibrio issues are in Rhode Island and how you can help control/reduce contam ination. In addition, there will be a discussion about potential regulatory impact. These issues affect everyone in the industry: from harvesting to processing and the industry needs to protect shellstock through the supply chain.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 from 3:30 - 5:30 PM at the RI Sea Grant Office in the Ocean Technology Center of the URI Graduate School of Oceanography in Narragansett. Speakers include Robert Rheault, Execut ive Director ECSGA, Dr. Marta Gomez-Chiarri, Professor, Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture, Veterinary Science at URI, John Mullen, RIDOH and Joe Migliore, RIDEM . The workshop is free; information will be distributed at the workshop. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP no later than Wednesday, October 13 by contacting Lori Pivarnik at 401-874-2972. We need to hear from you if you plan to attend since we would have to cancel the event if not enough people sign up in advance - so please call or e-mail if you are interested.

Directions to the workshop site, RI Sea Grant, Ocean Technology Center at the URI Graduate School of Oceanography:

From the West/South: From Westerly, take Rt. iN for about 27 mi. to intersection of Rtes. 1 and 138 (Mobil Gas Station on the left). Make a right onto Bridgetown Rd. Continue to next traffic signal (intersection of Bridgetown Road and Scenic lA). Cross intersection onto South Ferry Rd.

Continue past South Ferry Industrial Park on the right and South Ferry Church on the left. Entrance to campus is on the right. Continue past South Ferry Industrial Park on the right and South Ferry Church on the left. After the church, turn right at the main entrance to campus onto Pier Road. Follow Pier Road and then bear right onto Receiving Road. Take your first left into the parking lot. The Ocean Technology Center will be at the end of the parking lot on the right.

Via Rt. 138, Interstate 95N to exit 3A in R.I. (Kingston/URI exit). Turn right off exit ramp onto Rt. 138E (Kingstown Rd.). Continue on 138 (passing the University's Kingston Campus on the left) to Rt. 1 and cross the intersection onto Bridgetown Rd. Continue on Bridgetown Rd. to South Ferry Rd. Continue as above.

From the North: Take Interstate 95S to Exit 9 and exit in left lane off highway onto Rt. 4S. Continue to Rt. 1 and the junction of Rt. 138 (Mobil Gas Station will be on your right). Take a left at the tower onto Bridgetown Rd. Continue to South Ferry Rd. Continue as above.

From the East: Cross Newport and Jamestown Bridges. Take the first exit after the bridge onto Rt.1A toward Narragansett. Continue south to the first traffic signal and make a left onto South Ferry Rd. Continue as above.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Sponsored by: University of Rhode Island Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, URI Cooperative Extension, Food Safety Education Program, East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, University of Rhode Island Fisheries, Aquaculture and Veterinary Science Department, Rhode Island Department of Health, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and RI Coastal Resources Management Council.