Shellfish monitoring and management
Commercial bivalve molluscs produced in WA are harvested in accordance with Western Australian shellfish quality assurance program (WASQAP) that deliver an evidence-based risk management to ensure the safe consumption of shellfish.
The WASQAP is WA’s implementation of Australian shellfish quality assurance program (ASQAP) requirements of the Primary Production and Processing Standard for Seafood (Food Standards Code). The ASQAP operations manual is noted in the Food Standards Code as the ‘National guideline for managing risks in the harvesting, relaying, depuration and wet storage of shellfish’ and is a government-industry cooperative program that provides for the food safety of shellfish managed in accordance with its operational guidelines.
Under the Food Standards Code, bivalve molluscs include cockles, clams, mussels, oysters, pipis, and scallops with roe. Proposed businesses should contact the Department of Health for further advice. For scallops and pearl oysters, contact the relevant local government and the department.
Classification of harvesting areas
Food businesses must obtain classification for the shellfish harvest area in accordance with the WASQAP industry manual and the ASQAP operations manual. The classification is dependent on the sources of contamination identified in the initial stages of investigating a site. The classification process must be undertaken prior to the commercial harvesting of bivalve molluscs for human consumption. Prospective proponents should contact Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) for information on shoreline and sanitary surveys, and key requirements for environmental and shellfish monitoring.
The ongoing classification of shellfish growing areas are managed by the Department of Health. The harvesting areas in table 1 have been classified by the department as suitable waters for the growing and harvesting of bivalve shellfish for the purpose of human consumption.
Table 1: Classification of harvesting areas
| Harvesting area |
Classification |
|
Cockburn Sound Kwinana Grain Terminal
|
Closed inactive |
|
Cockburn Sound Southern Flats
|
Closed inactive |
| Mistaken Island
|
Approved
|
| Oyster Harbour
|
Conditionally approved
|
| Shark Bay
|
Approved remote
|
| Abrolhos Island (specific location)
|
Conditionally approved
|
| Princess Royal Harbour
|
Approved
|
Classification process
An overview of the steps involved in obtaining area classification to harvest shellfish for human consumption can be found on DPIRD’s website.
The Department of Health has summarised the process for classification in the flowcharts below for:
Sampling
For further instruction and direction regarding sampling, information can be found in the WASQAP sampler manual (2021).
The sampler manual is a guidance document containing step by step instructions for sample collection, submission, and results interpretation.
WA manuals for shellfish
Resources
Forms:
More information
Useful resources for shellfish growers include:
Last reviewed: 23-07-2025
Produced by
Environmental Health Directorate