Citation: O'Mahony, J.H.T. 1993 Phytoplankton species associated with imports of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, from France to Ireland. In , , pp. . International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, Copenhagen
Series Title: 81st ICES Statutory Meeting, Dublin, Ireland
Keywords: Alien, Aquaculture, France, Marine, Mollusca
Abstract: Prior to January 1993 importations of shellfish into Ireland were strictly subject to licence. The implementation of EC Council Directive 91/67/EEC now permits the free movement of shellfish from other EC states into the country. Oyster imports from 2 regions in France were examined for the presence of phytoplankton species. Sixty-seven species of phytoplankton (43 diatoms, 22 dinoflagellates and 2 silicoflagellates) were recorded in addition to other microspecies such as foraminferans and tintinnids. Fifteen types of dinoflagellate cysts were recorded. There is concern that potentially harmful species of phytoplankton may be imported accidentally into Ireland with shellfish transfers.