FISHERIES VICTORIA DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES Flinders Harvesting Area Triennial

FISHERIES VICTORIA, DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES Flinders Harvesting Area Triennial Update Report 2003 -2007 Fisheries Victoria, DPI June 2006 ECOWISE ENVIRONMENTAL JULY 2007 Flinders Annual Update Report Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Contact person Dr Terry Walker telephone facsimile email +61 3 6228 6769 +61 3 6228 4284 twalker@ecowise.com.au Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd ACN 074 205 780 ABN 68 074 205 780 Head Office 16A Lithgow Street Fyshwick ACT 2609 P O Box 1834 Fyshwick ACT 2609 telephone +61 2 6270 7650 facsimile +61 2 6270 7631 Email enviro@ecowise.com.au Victoria Mount Waverley Richmond Carrum Wangaratta New South Wales Penrith Deniliquin Dubbo Port Kembla Nowra Queensland Brisbane Gladstone South Australia Edwardstown Tasmania Hobart Western Australia Perth Newman Pinjarra Bendigo Geelong Werribee Moruya Mudgee Muswellbrook Newcastle Mackay Rockhampton Report Number: 3321 – 130707 File Reference: S:\Projects\VE332100 VSQAP contract\Project 3321\Doc\Inwards\Update Reports\Flinders\ Year 2 Triennial Report\Flinders TUR 20032007 July 2007 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Foreword Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd was engaged by Fisheries Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, to undertake the following components of the Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) as per the Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (ASQAP) Operations Manual (ASQAAC, 2005): Water quality bacteriological monitoring. Shellfish tissue bacteriological monitoring. Phytoplankton and biotoxin monitoring (water and tissue). Monitoring reporting. Harvesting area classification and reviews. Shoreline surveys. Comprehensive sanitary surveys. Triennial and annual update surveys. Rainfall trigger revisions and formulation. Marine biotoxin management plans. The aim of the program is to ensure that mussels harvested from the four harvesting areas in Port Phillip Bay (Clifton Springs, Grassy Point, Dromana and Pinnace Channel) and one in Western Port (Flinders) are safe for human consumption. This triennial update report will focus on the Flinders Bight harvesting area, located within Western Port, for the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007. Information and advice from the following organisations is gratefully acknowledged: • • • • • • • • • Fisheries Victoria, DPI PIRVic, DPI Mornington Peninsula Shire Council Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology South East Water Limited Marine Safety Victoria Toll WesternPort Port of Hastings Corporation Melbourne Water i Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Executive Summary This triennial update report presents the outcomes of VSQAP monitoring for the period from 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007 for the Flinders Bight shellfish harvesting area in Western Port, Victoria. The results from a pollution source survey and microbiological, phytoplankton and biotoxin monitoring are examined to assess the continued suitability of the area for the harvesting of shellfish. Routine phytoplankton and biotoxin sampling was carried out on 92 occasions at Flinders during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007. The major nuisance phytoplankton detected were Pseudo-nitzschia spp., Dinophysis (unidentified species and cf fortii) and Rhizosolenia cf chunii. All of these were detected in low numbers only, and none of the phytoplankton abundance triggers for tissue biotoxin testing were exceeded. PSP testing was carried out routinely at Flinders. No PSP was detected in mussel tissue from this harvesting area during the period covered by this report. Until January 2006, ASP (domoic acid) was also tested for routinely at the Flinders harvesting area. No ASP has been detected in mussel tissue. From January 2006 onwards, ASP analysis has been conducted only when phytoplankton levels indicated it was necessary. Microbiological sampling was carried out on twenty-two occasions at Flinders, twenty of these directly in response to rainfall, and the remaining two conducted as a follow up to determine the suitability of mussel tissue for human consumption following one of the largest rainfall events in VSQAP history. Between 1 October 2003 and 30 April 2007, the Flinders rainfall triggers were exceeded on 80 occasions. Thermotolerant coliforms were detected at sites within the harvesting area during ten of the twenty-two sampling occasions, but exceeded the ASQAP guideline for approved area classification of ≤14 orgs/100mL (geometric mean) on only one occasion. At Site N on 24 January 2007, >1,600 thermotolerant coliforms were detected within the water sample; however none of these were E. coli, indicating that they were environmental in origin and not indicative of faecal contamination. This disparity between thermotolerant coliform and E. coli numbers has been recorded on a number of occasions previously within the VSQAP both in Port Phillip Bay and to a lesser extent Western Port. On thirteen of the twenty-two sampling occasions, thermotolerant coliforms were detected at sites between the harvesting area and the shoreline, or sites seaward of the harvesting area. On four of these occasions (4 February, 12 August and 13 September 2005 and 24 January 2007), thermotolerant coliforms were detected at a level greater than the ASQAP permissible geometric mean for approved area classification (14 org/100mL) at one or more sites. E. coli were detected within mussel tissue from Flinders on nine occasions. On eight occasions, the numbers were below the FSANZ Food Standard of 230 E. coli/100g tissue and on the remaining occasion were equal to this guideline. The plate counts carried out on the mussel tissue from Flinders were low over the entire sampling period. ii Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Harvesting was suspended on 74 occasions at Flinders as a result of rainfall exceeding trigger levels. These closures were generally precautionary in nature occurring as a result of the use of very conservative rainfall triggers as a risk management tool, rather than a response to faecal contamination from runoff. A number of closures extended incorporated two rainfall events occurring close together. An extended closure was imposed following the extreme weather event of February 2005 during which 112 mm of rain fell within 48 hours. This event was followed by a second smaller rainfall event at Flinders. The closure for the extreme rainfall event was not lifted until 48 hours after the second smaller event and after E. coli was no longer detected in mussel tissue. Closures occurred for approximately 21% of the time available for harvesting at Flinders. Examination of the current VSQAP data shows that there is no evidence of any deterioration in water quality at the Flinders Bight harvesting area since the previous Comprehensive Sanitary Survey (WATER ECOscience Pty Ltd, 2004) or the subsequent annual reports (WATER ECOscience Pty Ltd, 2005; Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd, 2006). The pollution source survey carried out (shoreline survey of April 2007 and desk top studies) have shown that the potential sources of contamination for the Flinders harvesting area have not altered significantly since the previous comprehensive sanitary survey. Surface runoff and stormwater discharges (including septic runoff) as a consequence of moderate - heavy rainfall remain the major threats to water quality in the harvesting area. For much of the time, water quality at the Flinders Bight harvesting area remains high, and all sites within this area met the ASQAP microbiological requirements for Conditionally Approved Area Classification. The risk from biotoxins and chemical contamination is assessed as low. iii Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Table of Contents Executive Summary..................................................................................................................................................... ii 1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 2 History ........................................................................................................................................................... 1 Area Description ............................................................................................................................................ 2 Environmental Management .......................................................................................................................... 3 Update Report Aims ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Methods................................................................................................................................................................ 4 2.1 Shoreline and Pollution Source Survey.......................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Phytoplankton and Biotoxin Monitoring.......................................................................................................... 4 2.2.1 Sampling Strategy ................................................................................................................................. 4 2.2.2 Phytoplankton ........................................................................................................................................ 4 2.2.3 Biotoxins ................................................................................................................................................ 5 2.3 Bacteriological Monitoring.............................................................................................................................. 5 2.3.1 Sampling Strategy ................................................................................................................................. 5 2.3.2 Rainfall................................................................................................................................................... 6 2.3.3 Bacteriological Sampling Sites............................................................................................................... 6 2.4 3 Chemical Monitoring ...................................................................................................................................... 8 Pollution Source and Shoreline Survey............................................................................................................. 9 3.1 Pollution Source Survey ................................................................................................................................ 9 3.1.1 Land Use ............................................................................................................................................... 9 3.1.2 Population Growth ................................................................................................................................. 9 3.1.3 Agriculture.............................................................................................................................................. 9 3.1.4 Domestic Waste..................................................................................................................................... 9 3.1.4.1 Sewage.......................................................................................................................................... 9 3.1.4.2 Septic Tanks ................................................................................................................................ 10 3.1.4.3 Landfills........................................................................................................................................ 10 3.1.4.4 Stormwater .................................................................................................................................. 10 3.1.5 Industrial Waste ................................................................................................................................... 15 3.1.6 Wildlife and Domestic Animals............................................................................................................. 15 3.1.7 Shipping and Harbours ........................................................................................................................ 16 3.1.8 Dredging and Spoil Grounds................................................................................................................ 16 3.1.9 New Potential Pollution Sources .......................................................................................................... 16 3.2 Summary of threats ..................................................................................................................................... 17 4 Phytoplankton and Biotoxin Monitoring Results............................................................................................ 18 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Monitoring Completed.................................................................................................................................. 18 Phytoplankton Results ................................................................................................................................. 18 Biotoxin Results ........................................................................................................................................... 18 Risk Assessment ......................................................................................................................................... 19 5 6 Rainfall................................................................................................................................................................ 20 Water Quality Bacteriological Monitoring ....................................................................................................... 21 iv Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 6.1 6.2 6.3 7 Monitoring Completed.................................................................................................................................. 21 Results......................................................................................................................................................... 22 Summary ..................................................................................................................................................... 23 Shellfish Tissue Monitoring.............................................................................................................................. 24 7.1 7.2 7.3 Tissue Bacteriological Monitoring Results ................................................................................................... 24 Tissue Chemical Monitoring Results............................................................................................................ 24 Summary ..................................................................................................................................................... 25 8 9 10 11 Harvesting Area Classification ......................................................................................................................... 27 Harvesting Area Closures ................................................................................................................................. 28 Summary and Conclusions .......................................................................................................................... 31 References ..................................................................................................................................................... 33 Appendix 1: Monitoring Completed and Biotoxins ................................................................................................ 35 Appendix 2: Rainfall Exceeding Triggers ................................................................................................................ 45 Appendix 3: Phytoplankton Monitoring Results..................................................................................................... 50 Appendix 4: Bacteriological Monitoring Results .................................................................................................... 54 Total Coliforms ................................................................................................................................................ 55 Thermotolerant coliforms ................................................................................................................................. 56 E. coli............................................................................................................................................................... 57 Appendix 5: Tissue Monitoring Results .................................................................................................................. 59 Appendix 6: VSQAP Phytoplankton Abundance Triggers ..................................................................................... 64 Appendix 7: Shoreline Survey Photos..................................................................................................................... 67 v Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 List of Tables Table 1 Rainfall adverse pollution sampling event trigger levels for Flinders. (Sourced from the relevant harvesting area Sanitary Survey Reports and harvesting status notices) ........................................................... 6 Table 2 Position (latitude and longitude) of microbiological water sampling sites at Flinders......................... 7 Table 3 Stormwater outlets and creeks surveyed during the April 2007 Flinders shoreline survey and their estimated level of risk to harvesting area water quality.................................................................................... 12 Table 4: Summary of Potential Hazards to Flinders Harvesting Areas and their Significance ....................... 17 Table 5 Microbiological sampling performed at the Flinders Bight harvesting area during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007(Peak rainfall is not necessarily recorded within the 24 – 48 hours immediately prior to sampling but anytime during the rainfall event that led to sampling). .............................................. 21 Table 6 Actual dates of cessation of harvesting at the Flinders Bight harvesting area during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007 (according to harvesting status notices and based on 0900 24 hour rainfall data). ........................................................................................................................................................ 29 List of Figures Figure 1 Flinders Bight shellfish harvesting area ............................................................................................. 2 Figure 2 Flinders harvesting area, bacteriological and 2007 chemical sampling sites..................................... 7 Figure 3 Point sources along the coastline adjacent to the Flinders Bight harvesting area in May 2007...... 11 Figure 4 Outlet 6A Flinders Beach, noted during May 2007 shoreline survey ............................................... 12 Figure 5 Anaerobic sediments within channel cut across beach by Mantons Creek during April 2007.......... 14 Figure 6 Green discolouration of Stony Creek observed during April 2007 ................................................... 14 vi Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 1 Introduction 1.1 History The Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) is performed under the operational guidelines of the Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (ASQAP) detailed in its Operations Manual (ASQAAC, 2005). The latter was developed by the Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Advisory Committee (ASQAAC). The State Shellfish Control Authority (SSCA) is Fisheries Victoria, Department of Primary Industries and the monitoring, shoreline survey, sanitary survey, harvest area classification and reporting components of the VSQAP are performed by Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd. The VSQAP was established to ensure that mussels are fit for human consumption when harvested and to maintain ASQAP and Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) accreditation for domestic consumption and export of Victorian farmed mussels. The VSQAP was established in 1987 and operated for approximately 10 years until the end of 1996 when it was discontinued. Phytoplankton monitoring was carried out by WATER ECOscience Pty Ltd (now Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd) from approximately July 1997 until August 1999, initially on a routine basis for the Victorian Mussel Growers Association, and later on an ad hoc basis for various individual growers. The program recommenced on 23 August 1999, with five harvesting areas regularly monitored for phytoplankton, biotoxin and microbiological parameters. Four of these, Clifton Springs, Grassy Point, Dromana Bay and Beaumaris, are located in Port Phillip Bay and one, Flinders Bight, in Western Port. Beaumaris was removed from the VSQAP sampling program in March 2001 and this site is now solely used for spat collection. The Pinnace Channel Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve (AFR) in the southern part of Port Phillip Bay, is currently being classified; monitoring as part of the classification process commenced in February 2004. Sampling has also commenced at the Mount Martha AFR so that its waters may be classified in 2008. The original Flinders Bight harvesting area consisted of a single three hectare mussel culture site which was subject to a Comprehensive Sanitary Survey during the period 1 July 1987 to 30 June 1992. The unpublished 1993 report found that over this period water quality was generally good, although after rain, intermittent bacterial contamination was evident. Since this report, additional sites were released at the area and an interim ‘conditionally approved’ classification was applied to the area until further studies could be undertaken. The first ‘published’ Comprehensive Sanitary Survey for the Flinders Bight harvesting area was completed by Arnott et al. (2000), although the survey was only conducted for the ‘original’ shellfish harvesting area (Stage 1) and did not include the later Stage 2 and Stage 3 expansions. This CSS evaluated all the data collected between 1 July 1987 and 31 December 1996. Although this draft CSS noted that Dodds Creek at Flinders was potentially a major source of microbiological contamination from septic tank run-off, it did not examine the extent of risk in detail nor provide a management strategy for the harvesting area. A Comprehensive Sanitary Survey for the entire Flinders Bight harvesting area was conducted in 2003 (WATER ECOscience Pty Ltd, 2004) and 1 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 classified the area as being ‘Conditionally Approved’. Two annual update surveys for 2003–04 and 2004–06 have been completed since the 2003 Comprehensive Sanitary Survey (WATER ECOscience 2005, 2006). 1.2 Area Description The Flinders Bight harvesting area is located within the western entrance of Western Port, approximately 70 kilometres south-east of Melbourne and 3 kilometres from Bass Strait (Arnott et al., 2000). The inner edge of the Flinders harvesting area extends from approximately 600 metres off-shore of the township of Flinders north to approximately 1.1 kilometres offshore of Stony Creek, Shoreham. The coastline adjacent to the area comprises of both cliffs and sandy beaches and three creeks; Dodds, Mantons and Stony Creeks enter Western Port adjacent to the shellfish harvesting area (Figure 1). Poin t Le oR oad d sR er ind Fl Ea st k an Fr n sto Cr ee k St on y k Tuc M Shoreham C re ek Point Leo oad sR Honeysuckle Point J G an I to n s C re ek L F Do dd 's E Cr ee k B Cook Stree t M N N A Pier Flinders 0 0.5 1 kilometres 2 Figure 1 Flinders Bight shellfish harvesting area 2 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 1.3 Environmental Management The waters of Victoria are protected under the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria gazetted in June 2003 (Victorian Government Gazette, 4 June 2003). This SEPP sets a statutory framework for the protection of the uses and values of Victoria’s fresh and marine water environments. Additional environmental protection measures have been added for sensitive segments of the environment including Western Port and Port Phillip Bay (EPA, 2003). The waters of Western Port are also protected by a Schedule to the SEPP - Schedule F8 Waters of Western Port and Catchment. Where specific beneficial uses and objectives are outlined in the Schedule, these have precedence over those in the state-wide SEPP. Due to the variation in environmental quality between the East Arm and the remainder of Western Port (EPA, 2001), Schedule F8 divides Western Port into two marine segments, with the Flinders AFR lying within the Entrances and North Arm segment, where the current environmental quality is generally very good. The specific beneficial uses set out in Schedule F8 Waters of Western Port and Catchment (EPA, 2001) include aquaculture. Despite this, aquaculture is only protected in those parts of the segment where it is approved by the Minister responsible for administering the Fisheries Act 1995 (EPA, 2001). Within designated aquaculture areas, the E. coli environmental objective in Schedule 8 for waters zoned for aquaculture is <14 organisms/100mL (42day geometric mean). Outside designated aquaculture areas the objective is <200 organisms/100mL (42-day geometric mean). 1.4 Update Report Aims This triennial update report will complete the following for the Flinders Bight harvesting area: • • Update the outcomes of the pollution source survey, including the shoreline survey carried out in April 2007. Present, summarise and review the monitoring results obtained from the harvesting area over the 43 months from 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007. All monitoring data collected since the Comprehensive Sanitary Survey (23 August 1999 – 30 September 2003) have been included in this update report. 3 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 2 Methods 2.1 Shoreline and Pollution Source Survey As part of this Triennial Update Report, a pollution source survey was performed to ascertain if the potential threats to water quality in the Flinders Bight harvesting area had altered since the completion of the previous comprehensive sanitary survey report of 2003 (WATER ECOscience Pty Ltd, 2004) and the subsequent 2003–04 and 2004–06 annual update reports (WATER ECOscience Pty Ltd, 2005; Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd, 2006). A detailed shoreline survey was undertaken on the Mornington Peninsula adjacent to the Flinders Bight aquaculture zone on 12 & 13 April 2007. Investigations were conducted by Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd personnel by car and on foot and covered the towns and shoreline from West Head in the south to East Creek, Point Leo in the north. All point sources of pollution (e.g. streams and drains) were photographed and inspected, and their likely impact on the aquaculture zones evaluated. As seabirds can contaminate seawater with their droppings, the numbers of birds resting on the water, the foreshore or other structures were counted and identified. The numbers of pleasure craft and small boats were also recorded at each location and other signs of anthropogenic impact on the marine coastal environment noted. A desktop study was carried out in conjunction with the shoreline survey. Relevant agencies were contacted and websites accessed for updates on land use, water based activities and development that may be potential pollution sources in the waters around the Flinders Bight mussel harvesting area (see Foreword). 2.2 Phytoplankton and Biotoxin Monitoring 2.2.1 Sampling Strategy Routine phytoplankton and biotoxin monitoring was undertaken at the Flinders Bight harvesting area on a fortnightly basis. 2.2.2 Phytoplankton Phytoplankton monitoring consisted of fortnightly sampling for water column algae. A long history of VSQAP phytoplankton monitoring within Port Phillip Bay has shown this frequency to be adequate. On each occasion, two algal samples were collected. The first was a concentrated sample resulting from towing a 0.3 m diameter, 20 µm mesh plankton net vertically through the top 5 metres of water. The second was a 1 L vertically integrated sample using a five metre hosepipe sampler. The concentrated samples were examined in the laboratory for the presence of any known nuisance (toxicity or taste and odour) phytoplankton. These, together with any other commonly encountered algae were then identified to the optimal taxonomic level (usually species for potentially toxic or nuisance forms) and their relative abundance estimated using a six level abundance scale. If sufficient numbers of nuisance species were detected in this sample, then the second, 1 L sample was used for enumeration. In cases where species identification was not possible using a light microscope e.g. 4 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Pseudo-nitzschia spp., part of the concentrated sample was sent to Dr Gustaaf Hallegraeff, University of Tasmania for scanning electron microscopy and definitive identification. In the meantime, the precautionary principle was followed in that it was assumed that all Pseudo-nitzschia present were toxic. 2.2.3 Biotoxins Prior to November 2003, Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) and Amnesic Shellfish Poison (ASP) domoic acid levels in mussel tissue were routinely tested on a fortnightly basis at the Flinders harvesting area. However, a risk assessment conducted in 2003 (PIRVic, 2003), indicated that the frequency of PSP biotoxin testing could be reduced to monthly. Furthermore, since January 2006, ASP has only been tested for when phytoplankton abundance trigger levels indicated this was required. Mussels are still collected on a fortnightly basis and stored in case ad hoc tissue biotoxin testing is required. The costs of the routine PSP testing by mouse bioassay are high as are turn-around times, and the use of mice also raises ethical issues. Over the past few years, international efforts have been made to move away from the mouse test and develop accredited tests with more rapid turn-around times. As part of this process the Jellett rapid test for PSP was developed; the test was designed to be a screen, is rapid, the extractions are relatively simple, the costs low and the results relatively unambiguous. In January 2006, the test was adopted by the VSQAP in place of mouse bioassay for routine PSP monitoring. However, as of October 2006 the routine use of this test within the VSQAP was discontinued due to the over sensitivity of the test, and replaced with routine monthly testing using the mouse bioassay. This oversensitivity was found to be related to the presence of a high proportion of less toxic PSP analogues when toxin was detected. Additional mussel tissue biotoxin testing for PSP, ASP, Diarrhetic Shellfish Poison (DSP) and Neurotoxic Shellfish Poison (NSP), is performed at Flinders when phytoplankton levels indicate this is necessary i.e. the numbers of phytoplankton potentially producing these biotoxins exceed specific trigger values (see Appendix 6). Each biotoxin sample consisted of tissue from approximately 30 - 40 mussels (approximately 200 g tissue). The mussels were shucked by Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd personnel and the tissue samples forwarded to the relevant, accredited laboratories for analysis. Analysis of mussel tissue for PSP using the Jellett rapid test was undertaken by Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd personnel. 2.3 Bacteriological Monitoring 2.3.1 Sampling Strategy An adverse pollution sampling strategy was utilised for the microbiological monitoring component of the VSQAP at Flinders. Monitoring under this strategy targets adverse pollution events such as rainfall, spill incidents and increased population levels during holiday periods. During adverse pollution events, a range of microbiological testing was carried out by Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd, on both waters and mussel tissue collected at both harvesting areas, including total and thermotolerant (= faecal) coliforms and E. coli. 5 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 At each of the selected water sampling sites, a 500mL sub-surface water sample was collected and analysed for total and thermotolerant (= faecal) coliforms and E. coli. All water samples were examined in accordance with the procedures set out in the APHA (1970) "Recommended Procedures for the Examination of Seawater and Shellfish" as per the ASQAP Operations Manual (2002 – 04, May 2005). Routine analyses for total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms, and E. coli were carried out using the 5 tube decimal dilution multiple tube fermentation method with results expressed in terms of the most probable number (MPN). In addition, approximately 30 large mussels were collected (~180g of tissue) within each harvesting area to form a composite tissue sample which was analysed for total and thermotolerant coliforms, Standard Plate Counts and E. coli. Tissue samples were analysed in accordance with Australian/New Zealand Standard 1766. 2.3.2 Rainfall For the majority of the period covered by this report, adverse pollution conditions sampling was initiated when rainfall occurred, particularly when it exceeded the Flinders Bight shellfish harvesting area rainfall triggers (Table 1) detailed in the various update reports (Arnott et al, 2000; WATER ECOscience Pty Ltd, 2004; WATER ECOscience Pty Ltd 2005; Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd, 2006) and the VSQAP Operations Manual (Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd, 2007). Following the 2006 AQIS audit of the VSQAP, all adverse event sampling has been conducted when the harvesting area is open, sampling being conducted on the day of re-opening following a rainfall related closure. Table 1 Rainfall adverse pollution sampling event trigger levels for Flinders. (Sourced from the relevant harvesting area Sanitary Survey Reports and harvesting status notices) FLINDERS BIGHT Current Trigger 7 mm in 24 hours 11 mm in 48 hours 30 mm in 72 hours Comments Minimum closure period is 2 days If 11 mm is received within 24 hours the minimum closure period is 3 days. If 11 mm is received over 48 hours the minimum closure period is 2 days. Minimum closure period is 2 days. If 30 mm is received within 24 hours the minimum closure period is 4 days. 2.3.3 Bacteriological Sampling Sites The sites for water sample collection were selected after consultation with AQIS and Fisheries Victoria so that water quality could be examined within the harvesting area as well as between it and the shoreline, facilitating the identification of the major sources of contamination and their impacts. Due to an expansion made to the Flinders harvesting area, the location of sampling sites at this area was re-evaluated and as of November 2003, three of the original sites (Sites C, D and H) were removed and three new sites added (Sites L, M and N), with the total number of sampling sites remaining unchanged (ten sites). The three new sites were chosen to cover the expansion along the south-eastern border of the Flinders Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve. Currently, four sites were located within the Flinders harvesting area and another four between it and the shoreline. The two remaining sites were located on the seaward side of the harvesting area. The location of these 6 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 sites is detailed in Table 2 and in Figure 2. In the field, landmarks, buoys and GPS co-ordinates, located each sampling site. Table 2 Position (latitude and longitude) of microbiological water sampling sites at Flinders Site A B E F G I J L M N Position of Site (latitude & longitude) (Decimal degrees WGS84) 38.47052 38.46731 38.45685 38.45588 38.44110 38.44331 38.43480 38.44907 38.46662 38.47172 145.03270 145.03587 145.04413 145.04018 145.04924 145.05947 145.06444 145.08197 145.05849 145.04301 Poin t Le oR oad ind Fl s er Rd Ea st C Fr n to ks an re ek St o ks Tuc M an to ns Shoreham ny C re ek Point Leo d Roa Honeysuckle Point J G I C re ek L F D od d' s E FL2 FL3 C re ek B FL1 Cook Street M N N A Pier Flinders 0 0.5 1 2 kilometres Figure 2 Flinders harvesting area, bacteriological and 2007 chemical sampling sites 7 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 2.4 Chemical Monitoring Concerns by growers about an increase in viticulture and the potential for increased pesticide run-off to the waters in the vicinity of the VSQAP harvesting areas resulted in a desk-top study by WATER ECOscience Pty Ltd (now Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd) of the pesticides (insecticides, fungicides and herbicides) most commonly used in the area by the various agricultural sectors, and their potential to contaminate mussels offshore. The following set of parameters was chosen for examination: Metals Cadmium (Cd) Chromium (Cr) Copper (Cu) Mercury (Hg) Lead (Pb) Zinc (Zn) Nickel (Ni) Arsenic (As) Selenium (Se) Organics Organochlorine/organophosphate (OC/OP) screen Acid herbicides Triazine herbicides Chemical analysis of mussel tissue was previously conducted at the Flinders Bight harvesting area as part of the Comprehensive Sanitary Survey in July and September 2003. Primary Industries Research Victoria (PIRVic) – Werribee Centre were consulted concerning the most suitable storage containers to use and ascertain potential sources of contamination to be avoided during collection, storage, shucking and transport. Sampling was again conducted on 13 March 2007 at the Flinders Bight harvesting area by West Coast Diving. The location of the sampling sites is indicated on the map presented as Figure 2. Upon return to the Ecowise Environmental laboratories at Mt Waverley, the mussels were shucked using a custom made knife using steel containing extremely low concentrations of chromium to avoid metal contamination (most steels contain significant levels of chromium which can contaminate the samples). The shucked tissue was stored in ziplock plastic bags, clearly labelled and frozen. Samples were transported to PIRVic Werribee on 30 March 2007 for analysis. 8 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 3 Pollution Source and Shoreline Survey 3.1 Pollution Source Survey The pollution source survey examined the potential impacts from the following sources: • • • • • • • • • • Land Use Population growth Agriculture Domestic waste including sewage and septic tanks Landfills Stormwater Industrial waste Wildlife and domestic animals Dredging/Spoil grounds Boat traffic, shipping, ports 3.1.1 Land Use There have been few changes in land use in these areas over the past three years (Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, pers. comm.), and Flinders, Shoreham and Point Leo remain primarily residential centres surrounded by rural areas. Although viticulture and olive plantations have expanded markedly on the Mornington Peninsula, these changes in agriculture are unlikely to alter the current overall impact of agricultural practices on water quality within Western Port in general and the Flinders harvesting area in particular. 3.1.2 Population Growth Population data from the last census (2006) indicated that Mornington Peninsula has had only a small increase in population over recent years between 2001 and 2006. The increased impacts of such a small population increase would be very small. 3.1.3 Agriculture The shoreline survey and associated desk top study did not reveal any new potential sources of pollution or proposed developments in the region adjacent to the mussel harvesting area that were not already identified in the Comprehensive Sanitary Survey (CSS). 3.1.4 3.1.4.1 Domestic Waste Sewage Three Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) service the western side of Western Port. The threat from effluent and spills from the Boneo (formerly Rosebud), Mt Martha (formerly Mornington) and Somers (formerly Hastings) Sewage Treatment Plants remains low, as these plants discharge to the 9 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 South Eastern Outfall and hence to Bass Strait at Boags Rocks, with none located in catchments draining to Western Port. In addition, the SEWL Annual Report, 2004/05 indicates that there has been 100% compliance with EPA requirements over the past eight years, due to SEWL’s ongoing commitment to STP upgrades. The threat to the Flinders harvesting area from effluent and spills from the Eastern Treatment Plant was assessed in detail in the CSS (WATER ECOscience, 2004) and remains low. Recent and on-going major work at the plant will involve a reduction in the ammonia levels in treated effluent and subsequently an improvement in the marine environment at Boags Rocks (Melbourne Water, 2006). 3.1.4.2 Septic Tanks The 2003 CSS (WATER ECOscience, 2004) identified that the villages on the coastline adjacent to the harvesting area (Flinders, Shoreham and Point Leo) were unsewered and septic leakage common. The adverse impacts of stormwater contaminated by septic tank effluent on the waters of the harvesting area is currently managed by the use of conservative rainfall triggers and harvesting suspensions. It is expected that the threat to the water quality of the harvesting area will decrease with the progressive sewering of the area over the next few years, as part of the South East Water Limited (SEWL) Backlog Sewage Program. The new scheme will consist of a sewerage pipeline network (or reticulated system) for Flinders followed by Shoreham and eventually Point Leo. The transfer pipeline system will transport sewage from Flinders (and Shoreham and Point Leo later) to the existing Somers (Hastings) Treatment Plant. The scheme will not result in any increases in discharge volumes to receiving waters due to the implementation of a recycled water scheme, which will return Class A standard treated effluent to the Flinders/Shoreham region (SEWL, 2004). The pipeline at Flinders is currently under construction and it is anticipated that the system will be ready for house connections in 2009. Connections at Shoreham and Point Leo will occur at a later date. 3.1.4.3 Landfills The threats from Rye and Devil Bend landfill areas and the Tyabb waste transfer station remain low due to the spatial separation of these areas from the Flinders Bight harvesting area. 3.1.4.4 Stormwater During the shoreline survey conducted on 12 & 13 April 2007, twenty-two point sources were examined along the coastline adjacent to the Flinders Bight harvesting area between West Head in the south to East Creek, Point Leo in the north. 10 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Poin t Le oR oad rs de Rd in Fl Fr k an n sto Ea st Cr ee k St on y oad ks R Tu c M an to ns C re ek Shoreham C re ek 12 11 10 16 15A 15 14A, 14B 14 Point Leo 13 Honeysuckle Point 9 J G I L 8 F E Do dd 's Cr ee k 7 6A Cook Street B N M N 6 5 4 Pier A Flinders 3 2A 2 1A 1 0 0.5 1 kilometres 2 Figure 3 Point sources along the coastline adjacent to the Flinders Bight harvesting area in May 2007 Two outlets that had not been previously identified were located during the April 2007. At the foreshore underneath the location of outlet 1A at West Head, a concrete wall at the base of the cliff containing a pipe approximately 15cm in diameter was observed through an ‘opening’ in the growth of an ‘ivy’ like plant. The concrete pipe did not appear to be connected to anything and there was no observable impact on the foreshore from this structure. Drain ‘6A’ was located between outlets 6 and 7 along Flinders Beach and was comprised of a concrete pipe (approximately 30 cm in diameter) halfway up the hill between two relatively new residences in Flinders. The pipe opened out onto a landscaped area on the hillside and water would presumably run down to the foreshore during times of flow. No observable impact was noted on the foreshore during April 2007. 11 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Figure 4 Outlet 6A Flinders Beach, noted during May 2007 shoreline survey As observed during the shoreline surveys undertaken as part of the previous CSS (WATER ECOscience Pty Ltd, 2004) and the subsequent annual update reports (WATER ECOscience Pty Ltd, 2005, 2006), the majority of point sources located along the Flinders to Point Leo foreshore were small pipes or creeks many of which were not flowing at the time they were examined. Table 3 presents details of these point discharges and an assessment of the risk they present to water quality in the region of the Flinders AFR. Table 3 Site number 1 1A 2 2A 3 4 5 6 6A 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 14A 14B 15 16 Stormwater outlets and creeks surveyed during the April 2007 Flinders shoreline survey and their estimated level of risk to harvesting area water quality. Site Description West Head below RAN gunnery range West Head near RAN gunnery range Flinders Beach, south of Jetty Flinders Jetty car-park playground Flinders Jetty, car park Flinders, The Esplanade Flinders War Memorial car park Dodds Creek Flinders Small pipe, Flinders foreshore near northernmost houses Flinders, foreshore near northernmost house Mantons Creek Stony Creek, Shoreham Shoreham, unnamed creek Shoreham, unnamed creel below Grammar School Shoreham, creek with stormwater outlet near Nelson St Shoreham, creek on Shoreham-Point Leo beach Point Leo Surf Lifesaving Club, small creek with stormwater outlet upstream near car-park Point Leo Yacht Club Point Leo Yacht Club Point Leo stormwater outlet, north of Point Leo East Creek, Point Leo Risk Ranking Low Low Low Low Low Low Low High Low Low Medium High Low Low Low- Medium Low Low Low Low Medium High 12 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 The shoreline survey of 2007 and indeed those of 2002 (WATER ECOscience Pty Ltd, 2004), 2004 (WATER ECOscience Pty Ltd, 2005) and 2006 (Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd, 2006) all identified six point sources as having the greatest potential to reduce water quality in the Flinders AFR: • • • • • • Site 6 - Dodds Creek, Flinders Site 8 - Mantons Creek Site 9 - Stony Creek Site 12 - Creek near Nelson Street, Shoreham containing stormwater outlet Site 15 - Stormwater outlet, north of Point Leo Site 16 - East Creek, Point Leo Site 6: Dodds Creek, Flinders As noted previously, a large stormwater outlet, comprising a 1.2 metre diameter concrete pipe opens onto the foreshore at the mouth of Dodds Creek. Both the stormwater outlet and Dodds Creek were flowing during April 2007. The flow from the creek and pipe had cut a channel across the beach to the waters edge that was approximately three to four metres wide at the widest point, with banks as high as approximately 0.7 metres. Some black anoxic sediment was noted along the edges of the creek, which may have been related to a build up of dead and rotting leaves and seaweed within the pool. Although the ecological impact from the creek and stormwater outlet on the foreshore did not appear to be as marked as during the previous shoreline surveys, there was a zone containing green algae (indicative of a nutrient impact) on rocks at the waters edge in front of the confluence of the creek and pipe. At times of rainfall, runoff within Dodds Creek may be contaminated by septic tank effluent resulting in very high E. coli levels (WATER ECOscience, 2004). Site 8: Mantons Creek During April 2007, Mantons Creek was observed to be flowing all the way to the waters edge. The creek appeared wider at the mouth than previous years and also appeared shallower due to a build-up of sand. Although the water flowing within the channel cut by the creek across the beach appeared clean, there were small patches of black organic sand with a white ‘crust’ noted within the channel (Figure 5). Some green algae were noted on the rocks at the waters edge, with this zone of algae being less extensive than that observed at Dodd’s Creek. Some clumps of green algae were also noted within the creek near its mouth and some brown algae were observed on the surface in shallow areas. Although no cattle were observed during the April 2007 survey, evidence of their access to the creek was noted (cow pats at the mouth of the creek and pugging). 13 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Figure 5 Anaerobic sediments within channel cut across beach by Mantons Creek during April 2007. Site 9: Stony Creek, Shoreham Of note during the April 2007 survey was the green appearance of Stony Creek due to the presence of algae from just upstream of the mouth of the creek upstream to a riffle area (Figure 6). Upstream of the riffle area the creek appeared clear but algae were still visible on the bottom of the creek, suggesting that this is a nutrient rich system. This ‘green tinge’ within the creek has been observed previously, although not to the extent observed during the current survey. The creek had cut a channel across the beach to the water and was flowing all the way to the waters edge, the water within the channel was clear. The entire bottom of the channel where the creek opened onto the beach was lined with dead seaweed and an anaerobic odour was noted. The channel of the creek was lined with Phragmites at the mouth and replanting had been undertaken on the right hand side bank (when looking downstream) since the March 2006 survey. Figure 6 Green discolouration of Stony Creek observed during April 2007 Site 12: Creek near Nelson Street, Shoreham with stormwater outlet The under road system that drains the Coryule, Seychelles and Nelson Street block (including some of the southern side of Nelson Street) is ‘captured’ by modified but largely natural drainage before eventually draining into the stormwater outlet at Site 12 (Shoreham Foreshore Reserve Committee of Management, pers. comm.). It was revealed that this outlet would capture run-off all year round, including any septic tank leakage. During the current survey, no water was observed trickling or flowing from the structure, although the ground in front appeared damp and a small puddle was present near the concrete pipe. The gully where this outlet 14 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 opened onto the foreshore was dry and there was no evidence of an ecological impact on the beach. Site 15: Point Leo Stormwater Outlet There was no flow from this pipe and no obvious evidence of an impact from this outlet on the beach during April 2007. However, as noted during previous surveys, its large size (900 mm diameter) indicates that it has the potential to carry large volumes of stormwater. Site 16: East Creek, Point Leo As was the case in March 2006, East Creek was flowing steadily along the back of the beach for approximately 150 metres before cutting a channel to the waters edge. The creek appeared to have a lower water level than during previous events and was generally only a couple of metres wide along most of the beach. Although the creek still had a ‘greenish-greyish’ tinge upstream of the mouth, this was not as observable as during previous events when the creek had been described as having a ‘milky’ appearance. Some small tufts of green algae were observed within the creek as it flowed along the back of the beach; however no green algae was observed at the waters edge as was observed at Dodd’s and Manton’s Creek. Upstream of the beach the creek narrowed and was degraded and lined with blackberries, pines and ferns. Some black sand was noted on the bottom of the creek, and the anaerobic odour was related to rotting sea grass. 3.1.5 Industrial Waste There is no major industry within the Flinders, Shoreham and Point Leo townships, although there is a small commercial centre within Flinders and a local surfboard manufacturing business. There is an industrial area at Hastings north of the harvesting area, but this is some distance away and the major movement of water on that side of Western Port is to the north. As there have been no major changes to these areas over the past couple of years (Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, pers. comm.) and potential for adverse impact on water quality within the harvesting area remains negligible. 3.1.6 Wildlife and Domestic Animals Domestic pets are potentially significant sources of bacterial contamination via stormwater. The number of cats and dogs in the area adjacent to the Flinders Bight harvesting area would usually be relatively low due to small size of the communities of Flinders, Shoreham and Point Leo, although these may increase during holiday periods when large numbers of visitors arrive in the towns. Four dogs were observed on the foreshore during the shoreline survey, but both were observed with their owners and none were observed defecating on the foreshore. Several species of birds were noted during the shoreline survey (e.g. seagulls, ducks and ibis) and with the exception of West Head, no significant numbers or breeding colonies of birds were noted. On the foreshore at West Head approximately 50 – 60 ibis were observed. A strong odour along the foreshore at this point appeared to be related to the presence of the birds and their faeces covering the seaweed on the beach. 15 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 3.1.7 Shipping and Harbours Approximately thirty small vessels were moored at Flinders Pier on the day of the shoreline survey. These comprised mussel barges, dinghies, fishing boats and recreational vessels. No major maritime spills were reported during the last 3 years within Western Port (Marine Safety Victoria, pers. comm.) and there has been no major increase in the number of ships visiting the Port of Hastings between 2003 and 2007. Port of Hastings received approximately 200 visits during 2003/2004 and 2004/2005, but there was a slight decrease in shipping during 2005/2006 when only 180 vessels visited the port (Port of Hastings Corporation, 2006). There is no evidence of any increase in the low potential for adverse impacts on water quality in the vicinity of the harvesting area. 3.1.8 Dredging and Spoil Grounds There has been no maintenance dredging within the Port of Hastings or the commercial shipping channels within Western Port during recent years (Toll WesternPort, pers. comm.). In general, high current flows prevent sediment build up (WATER ECOscience, 2004). Surveys are regularly undertaken to identify the potential need for dredging and there has been no need identified for the short to medium term (Toll WesternPort, pers. comm.). 3.1.9 New Potential Pollution Sources A detailed investigation of potential pollution sources was carried as part of the CSS. There have been no new potential pollution sources identified in the Flinders area since that study. 16 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 3.2 Summary of threats Description and Comments Primarily small residential towns in mainly agricultural catchments (grazing, viticulture, orchards, market gardens and poultry production); main impacts relate to stock contamination of some small streams and septic contamination of town stormwater. Small increases in population only; little or no increase in impacts over previous 3 years. Despite increase in viticulture and other agricultural activities, no evidence of pesticide contamination in shellfish; No evidence of adverse impacts from nutrient runoff apart from localised impacts close to some streams such as Mantons Creek; Potential for bacteriological contamination from stock via affected streams. Boneo, Mt Martha and Somers STP all discharge through the South Eastern outfall into Bass Strait at Boags Rocks; no reported leaks from system; catchments with STPS drain to PPB not Western Port. Three landfill areas at Rye (mainly domestic and commercial waste), Devil Bend (mainly solid inert waste) and Tyabb (mainly domestic waste). No evidence of any threat to water quality within the harvesting areas from leachate runoff. There are many stormwater outlets associated with built-up areas including 16 along the Flinders coastline adjacent to the Flinders harvesting area; is clear evidence of microbiological contamination in inshore waters at times of moderate rainfall and of septic contamination of stormwater at Point Leo (East Creek), Shoreham (Stony Creek) and particularly Flinders (Dodds Creek); bacteriological contamination is also likely from stock (Mantons Creek). See stormwater above; contamination from stormwater (including septic leakage/runoff) and agricultural runoff enters a series of creeks before flowing to Western Port adjacent to the harvesting area. Limited service industries only, and unlikely to change. Pets including dogs common – potential for faecal contamination of stormwater. Dogs are commonly observed along the foreshore, often off a leash. Birds may be common, but no large breeding colonies are present near either harvesting area. Table 4: Summary of Potential Hazards to Flinders Harvesting Areas and their Significance Hazard Land Use Risk Assessment Low Population Growth Agriculture Low Medium Sewage Low Waste Management Low Stormwater High at times of moderate rainfall. Low at other times High Rivers/streams Industrial Waste Wildlife & Domestic Animals Low Low usually Medium at times of heavy rainfall Low Dredging & Spoil Grounds Shipping, boat traffic, ports No dredging has been performed within the Western Port for some years as it is self maintaining due to strong tidal currents. The number of ships visiting Port of Hastings has not increased markedly over the past few years, in fact decreased during 2005/2006; Port Hastings is a moderate distance north of the harvesting area, net current flows tend to past the latter to the Port rather than from it and there is no evidence of any impact from shipping; recreational and other uses from Flinders Pier have not increased and potential impacts appear to be low. The Flinders and Shoreham Backlog Sewage Program is continuing with connections at Flinders expected to commence in 2008; it is likely to be several years before the number of connections become significant, residual pollution is flushed and water quality shows improvement; improvement is likely to be marked based on experiences at Clifton Springs and Grassy Point when the Bellarine Peninsula was sewered in 1996. Low Other Developments Low 17 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 4 Phytoplankton and Biotoxin Monitoring Results 4.1 Monitoring Completed Table 1 (Appendix 1) outlines the details of each sampling event and the testing completed at the Flinders Bight shellfish harvesting area between 1 October 2003 and 30 April 2007. Over this 43-month period, a total of 92 routine sampling events (phytoplankton monitoring) were completed. 4.2 Phytoplankton Results The potentially toxic or nuisance phytoplankton species detected at the Flinders Bight harvesting area between 1 October 2003 and 30 April 2007 are presented in Table 3 (Appendix 3). Three major toxic/nuisance phytoplankton groups were detected; Pseudonitzschia spp., Dinophysis (unidentified species and cf fortii) and Rhizosolenia cf chunii. On twenty-two of the 92-phytoplankton sampling events, no toxic or nuisance phytoplankton were detected at the Flinders Bight harvesting area. Pseudo-nitzschia spp. are narrow, elongate diatoms difficult to identify to species level using light microscopy, and generally requiring electron microscopy. A number of species, notably P. multiseries and P. australis have been found to produce the Amnesic Shellfish Poison (ASP) domoic acid. For the purposes of the VSQAP, it is assumed that all Pseudonitzschia detected are toxic until definitive identification is obtained or tissue testing for domoic acid is completed. Pseudo-nitzschia spp. were detected at Flinders on 64 occasions, but always in very low numbers. The VSQAP Pseudo-nitzschia trigger for tissue testing (300,000 cells/L) was never approached or exceeded. Dinophysis spp. are common in Australian waters but not often abundant. Some Dinophysis species have been found to produce Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisons (DSP’s) that may accumulate in shellfish tissues. The main bloom species in Port Phillip Bay (PPB) and Western Port appears to be Dinophysis acuminata but D. fortii is also often encountered in low numbers. Dinophysis cf fortii was detected at Flinders on nine occasions and an unidentified species of Dinophysis was detected on one occasion, always in very low numbers during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007. The bitter-taste species Rhizosolenia cf chunii, which may render mussels unfit for human consumption, was detected on 29 occasions at the Flinders Bight harvesting area during the period covered by this report, but always in very low numbers. 4.3 Biotoxin Results The results of the routine PSP and until January 2006, ASP (domoic acid) analyses of mussel tissue from Flinders are presented in Table 1 (Appendix 1). No PSP or ASP was detected in mussel tissue during the period covered by this report. 18 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 4.4 Risk Assessment The overall risk of contamination of mussels with biotoxins at levels likely to be a threat to human health appears to be very low. Over the current period of monitoring from 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007, biotoxin levels never exceeded the regulatory limits for the consumption of shellfish tissue. 19 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 5 Rainfall Rainfall data are presented in Table 2 (Appendix 2) for all events when the rainfall trigger was exceeded at the Flinders Bight harvesting area, during the period from 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007. Daily rainfall data was obtained from the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology rainfall service to the aquaculture industry. Rainfall exceeding the Flinders trigger level occurred on 80 occasions over this 43-month period. The majority of rainfall events were characterised by one or two days of light to moderate rainfall, although heavier rainfall and over a longer duration was also recorded. The highest rainfall during the sampling period occurred during an extreme weather event over 2 - 3 February 2005, when 111.6 mm fell over the 48 hours prior to 9 am, 3 February 2005. This rainfall was recorded during an intense summer storm that led to heavy and continuous rainfall across much of Victoria and flash flooding. Extensive plumes of freshwater discharged into Port Phillip Bay and Western Port, with large expanses of ‘chocolate brown’ coloured water and debris noted. 20 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 6 Water Quality Bacteriological Monitoring 6.1 Monitoring Completed The microbiological sampling dates for the Flinders Bight harvesting area for the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007 are displayed in Table 5 and detailed records of rainfall events are presented in Table 2 (Appendix 2). Microbiological monitoring was completed on twenty-two occasions over the monitoring period, twenty events directly triggered by rainfall and the remaining two events conducted as a follow up to one of the largest rainfall events in VSQAP history, on 2 – 3 February 2005. The later were performed to determine microbial levels in mussel tissue and whether the shellfish were suitable for human consumption prior to the resumption of harvesting. Table 5 Microbiological sampling performed at the Flinders Bight harvesting area during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007(Peak rainfall is not necessarily recorded within the 24 – 48 hours immediately prior to sampling but anytime during the rainfall event that led to sampling). Date Sampled 2003 3 October 2004 12 February 31 March 27 July 16 August 13 September 28 October 2005 4 February 8 February 9 February 20 June 5 August 12 August 1 September 13 September 10 October 2006 14 March 2 May 25 August 18 November 2007 24 January 3 March Yes Yes Rainfall Rainfall 15.2 22 22.8 22 Yes Yes Yes Yes Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall 19.8 14.0 9.0 10.8 19.8 15.4 12.0 14.2 Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Rainfall Follow up to 4 February Follow up to 4 February Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall 89.4 4.6 7.8 6.6 33.8 20.8 19.6 18.6 21.4 111.6 4.6 12.4 11.6 36.6 28.4 21.2 21.4 27.8 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall 22.8 19.4 17.2 15.6 28 30 31.4 28.2 18.2 28.4 50.0 37.2 Yes Rainfall 15.4 15.8 Rainfall Trigger Level Exceeded? Trigger for Testing Peak 24 hour Rainfall (mm) Peak 48 hour Rainfall (mm) Generally, microbiological sampling occurred within 24 hours of a rainfall event or the rainfall trigger being exceeded, although this was not always possible due to rough seas and strong winds. The majority of sampling events were conducted during the closure period; however since the 2006 21 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 AQIS audit and a modification to the sampling strategy, all sampling events have been conducted when the harvesting area reopened. 6.2 Results The microbiological results for water samples collected from Flinders during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007 are displayed in Appendix 4, Tables 5 - 9. Rainfall levels varied appreciably across the sampling events. Over the period of monitoring, the largest rainfall event at Cerberus AWS was recorded on during an extreme 1:100 year weather event on 2 - 3 February 2005, when 111.6 mm of rain fell over 48 hours. As noted, this rainfall was recorded during intense summer storms that led to heavy and continuous rainfall across much of Victoria. The largest 24-hour rainfall recorded at Cerberus AWS (~89 mm) also occurred during that event over the 24-hours to 9 am on 3 February 2005. Despite sampling being undertaken approximately 24 hours afterwards on 4 February 2005, thermotolerant coliform levels within water samples from the harvesting area were low (5 - 11 org/100mL) and were below the ASQAP permissible geometric mean for approved area classification of 14 org/100mL. All of the thermotolerant coliforms detected within these samples were E. coli and hence indicative of faecal contamination. Thermotolerant coliforms were detected at sites within the harvesting area during nine of the remaining sampling occasions, but generally always in numbers less than the maximum permissible geometric mean for approved classification of 14 org/100mL (2 – 11 org./100mL). The exception to this was Site N during the event conducted on 24 January 2007 when >1,600 org./100mL were recorded. This sampling event was conducted when the harvesting area reopened after a 72-hour closure implemented following approximately 22 mm of rainfall in a 48-hour period. However, none of the thermotolerant coliforms detected at this site during the event were E. coli, and hence of environmental origin rather than indicative of faecal contamination. This disparity between thermotolerant coliform and E. coli numbers is encountered frequently within the VSQAP both in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port, although the difference is usually less significant than during this event. Thermotolerant coliforms were detected at one or more of the sampling sites between the shoreline and the harvesting area, or seaward of the harvesting area, on thirteen of the twenty-two sampling occasions, but only exceeded the ASQAP maximum permissible geometric mean for approved area classification of 14 org./100mL on four occasions (4 February 2005, 12 August 2005, 13 September 2005 and 24 January 2007). Thermotolerant coliform levels at Site F, located offshore from Mantons Creek, exceeded the maximum permissible geometric mean for approved classification of 14 org/100mL on four occasions (4 February 2005 - 49 org/100mL, 12 August and 13 September 2005 and 24 January 2007 - 23 org/100mL). With the exception of 24 January 2007, moderate to heavy rainfall (~21 – 89 mm) was recorded in the 48 hours prior to each of these sampling events. As mentioned earlier, the 24 January 2007 sampling event was undertaken when the harvesting area reopened after a 72-hour closure implemented following approximately 22 mm of rainfall in a 48-hour period. The maximum permissible geometric mean of 14 org./100mL was also exceeded at Site J during this event (17 org./100ml). Only a small number of the thermotolerant coliforms detected at Site F, and none of those detected 22 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 at Site J, were E coli, hence indicating that the thermotolerant coliforms were of environmental rather than faecal origin. Thermotolerant coliform levels at Site A were also above 14 org/100mL on one occasion, 13 September 2005 (17 org/100mL), the majority of these being E. coli (11 org/100mL) and hence indicative of low-level faecal contamination. 6.3 Summary During the majority of adverse sampling events conducted at the Flinders Bight harvesting area during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007, thermotolerant coliforms were detected in water samples collected from either within the harvesting area, or between the harvesting area and the shoreline. However, it was only during a limited number of events, that the levels exceeded the ASQAP maximum permissible mean for approved area classification of 14 org./100mL. At these times, harvesting had been suspended. 23 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 7 Shellfish Tissue Monitoring 7.1 Tissue Bacteriological Monitoring Results Table 10 (Appendix 5) presents tissue E. coli numbers (as well as total coliform and thermotolerant coliform numbers) for each sampling occasion at Flinders between 1 October 2003 and 30 April 2007. Mussel tissue samples from the Flinders Bight harvesting area were collected and analysed on twenty-two occasions during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007. The suitability of mussel tissue for human consumption was assessed using E. coli abundance as per FSANZ Food Standard 1.6.1 (2002). E. coli were detected in mussel tissue collected from Flinders during nine of the twenty-two sampling occasions during the 43 month monitoring period. On the majority of occasions, the numbers were low (20 - 80 E. coli/100g tissue) but on 4 February 2005 numbers were equal to, but not in excess of, the FSANZ Food Standard of 230 E. coli/100g tissue. On this occasion the harvesting area was closed and did not reopen until approximately 8 days later. Standard plate counts (SPC) were low, ~45 – 14,000 org/g mussel tissue. 7.2 Tissue Chemical Monitoring Results Three composite mussel tissue samples from the Flinders Bight harvesting area were collected in March 2007 and analysed for a range of organochlorine and organophosphates, acid herbicides, triazines and metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead, selenium and zinc). The results of this testing are presented in Table 11 (Appendix 5). Table 15 also displays various regulatory limits for residues in molluscs including those set out in the FSANZ Food Standards Code (2002). As part of the Port Phillip Bay Environmental Study (1996), Fabris (1995) examined data relating to toxicants in the fauna of the Bay. The levels of the metals and metalloids arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc in Port Phillip Bay sites were examined. It was concluded that in most cases, differences between sites were relatively small and could be attributed to variability within the bioaccumulation process as much as to differences in ambient concentrations of pollutants. This very comprehensive environmental study found Port Phillip Bay to be largely uncontaminated, except in very close proximity to some drains and creeks (Fabris, pers. comm.). van Maanen (1995) examined metals and other contaminant levels in mussels from Clifton Springs. Arsenic, cadmium, copper, chromium, nickel, lead and zinc levels were found to be similar at Clifton Springs to those found in other relatively uncontaminated sites in Port Phillip Bay and much less than the relevant MPCs (maximum permitted concentration). Phillips et al (1992) also examined trace metal levels in various molluscs at a number of sites in Port Phillip. Cadmium, mercury and lead levels were all substantially below the maximum levels (ML) set by the FSANZ Food Standards Code (2002). Although no ML is currently set for chromium, copper, zinc or nickel, the superseded ANZFA Food Standards Code (1994) contained a maximum permissible concentration (MPC) of 70 mg/kg for copper and 150 mg/kg for 24 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 zinc for all foods apart from oysters. The copper and zinc levels found in Flinders mussels in March 2007 were substantially less than these. Total arsenic levels exceeded the current ML of 1 mg/kg (molluscs) but were very similar to those noted in the past at Clifton Springs (van Maanen, 1995) and uncontaminated sites in Port Phillip Bay (Phillips et al, 1992; Fabris, 1995). The analytical report also noted that the standard deviation of all arsenic results was high at 0.88 mg/kg, probably attributable to the presence of fine sediment in the mussel tissue. In regard to Port Phillip Bay shellfish, Fabris (1995) noted that “it is likely that most of the arsenic in mussels from the bay is present in a non toxic organic species and does not pose a health risk to consumers.” In addition, 19th Australian Total Diet Survey (FSANZ, 2001) examined 21 composite mussel samples used for food obtaining values varying from 2.6 to 8.7 mg/kg (mean 4.219 mg/kg); the levels in Flinders mussels of 2.1 – 2.7 mg/kg were either less or at the lower end of this range. Within the VSQAP, total arsenic is used as a surrogate for toxic arsenic forms – if total arsenic levels appear to be rising, additional analyses will be performed to speciate the arsenic present with reference to toxic forms. Although there is no ML or MPC for chromium, the EPA Victoria (1983) RWQC (Recommended Water Quality Criteria) limit was 5.5 mg/kg; the levels in Flinders mussels were again much lower than this, at 0.1 mg/kg. Nickel also has no set ML although van Maanen uses 5.5 mg/kg derived from pre 1993 standards. Nickel levels in Flinders mussels were substantially lower than this, at 0.2 mg/kg. Similarly, selenium has no ML but van Maanen (1995) used 1 mg/kg from the pre-1993 standards; selenium levels at Flinders (0.64 – 0.77mg/kg) did not exceed this level. Some differences were noted in some metal levels between the Flinders samples analysed in July 2003 and those recently analysed in March 2007. Cadmium and zinc levels were similar on both dates, but chromium and especially copper and mercury levels were lower in March 2007. This probably represents natural variability within composite mussel samples or possibly seasonal variability. Shellfish tissue metal levels appear to be low and within normal limits within the Flinders harvesting area and there appears to be little risk of the contamination of mussels by metals. The levels of organic residues including organochlorines, organophosphates, triazines and acid herbicides were extremely low, all being less than the detectable limit. The threat to human health from pesticide contamination of mussels appears to be very low at the Flinders Bight harvesting area. 7.3 Summary E. coli levels within mussel tissue collected from the Flinders Bight harvesting area during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007 were generally low (20 – 80 org./100g tissue). On one occasion, during an extreme weather event, E. coli numbers were equal to the FSANZ Food Standard of 230 E. coli/100g tissue, but harvesting was suspended at the time and did not resume until approximately eight days later, following an extended closure across two rainfall events. An examination of mussel tissue from three sites within the Flinders Bight harvesting area for a wide range of organics including pesticides revealed 25 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 that the levels of all parameters tested were less than the limit of detection. Metal levels in mussel tissue were also low and less than the relevant maximum levels for human health where these had been set. The risk of contamination by metals or organics within the Flinders harvesting area is assessed as low. 26 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 8 Harvesting Area Classification The Flinders harvesting area currently holds a ‘conditionally approved’ classification based on previous sanitary surveys and water quality monitoring (Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd, 2006). The Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program notes that for a harvesting area to hold an approved classification, the bacterial water quality of every sampling station within the harvesting area must meet the following criteria (adverse pollution conditions sampling strategy): • The thermotolerant coliform median or geometric mean MPN of the water sample results must not exceed 14 per 100mL and not more than 10% of the samples must exceed an MPN of 43 per 100mL for a 5 tube decimal dilution test The microbiological summary data for Flinders (thermotolerant coliforms) for the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007 is presented in Table 8 (Appendix 4). This data shows that for all sites within the harvesting area, the geometric mean (2.25 – 2.82 org/100mL) and median (<2 org/100mL) thermotolerant coliform levels easily met the ASQAP requirement of 14 org/100mL for approved area classification. The sites between the harvesting area and the shoreline also easily met the ASQAP requirements (geometric means 2.08 – 3.26 org/100mL; medians <2 org/100mL) between October 2003 and April 2007. The proportion of samples exceeding 43 org/100mL was less than 10% at all sites, both within the harvesting area and between it and the shoreline. The information presented within the current report contains no evidence of any reduction in water quality at the Flinders harvesting area since the Comprehensive Sanitary Survey. The major threat continues to be faecal contamination from septic runoff, stormwater and surface runoff, and agricultural runoff from stock following moderate to heavy rainfall. This is managed by the use of conservative rainfall triggers and harvesting closures. 27 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 9 Harvesting Area Closures An examination of harvesting area rainfall triggers (Table 1) and ‘harvesting status notices’ from the Fisheries Division, Department of Primary Industries, indicates that harvesting was suspended at Flinders on 74 occasions over the monitoring period, as detailed in Table 6. Closures were based on Bureau of Meteorology 24 hour rainfall records at 0900 hrs each morning, although the rainfall trigger may have been breached earlier. The period from 0900 one day to 0900 the next day constitutes a closure of one day or 24 hours. Industry and key VSQAP personnel were advised of the details of the opening and closing of harvesting areas through ‘harvesting status notices’ issued by the Fisheries Division of the Department of Primary Industries via e-mail. These provide details of when a closure began, the time that the rainfall trigger was breached, minimum closure periods, the anticipated opening date, on-going cumulative rainfall levels and the trigger levels for all harvesting areas. The Bureau of Meteorology rainfall service to the aquaculture industry includes hourly rainfall data so that closures can be instigated at the closest hour to when the trigger level was exceeded, rather than only at 0900 hours when daily rainfall data becomes available. Although closures notices can only be sent after the 0900 rainfall data becomes available, farmers are obliged to check hourly rainfall data and cease harvesting immediately when trigger levels are exceeded. All openings occur at 0900 once the closure period has expired and no further rain has occurred. From 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007, harvesting was suspended for approximately 21% of the time at Flinders. From November 2006, microbiological sampling events were undertaken when harvesting had resumed following rainfall related closures; no E. coli were detected in mussel tissue during these events. The remaining sampling events were conducted during the harvesting area closure periods. For nine of the twenty two sampling events, the suspension of harvesting was precautionary and resulted from rainfall exceeding the relevant rainfall triggers, rather than the presence of E. coli which was not detected in mussel tissue. During eight more occasions, E. coli was detected in mussel tissue from Flinders, but levels were well below the FSANZ Food Standard (20 – 80 org./100g tissue). The remaining, and extended closure from 2 - 11 February 2005 at Flinders spanned two rainfall events, the exceptional weather event of 2 - 3 February and a second smaller rainfall event on 8 - 9 February. E. coli was detected at this harvesting area at a level equal to the FSANZ Food Standard on 4 February but was not detected on 8 February. Nonetheless, harvesting was not resumed until 12 February due to an extension of the closure in response to the second smaller rainfall event. 28 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Table 6 Actual dates of cessation of harvesting at the Flinders Bight harvesting area during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007 (according to harvesting status notices and based on 0900 24 hour rainfall data). Dates Harvesting Status Notices Indicates Suspension of Harvesting (Date of re-opening included) Reason Number Of Days Closed 3 2 5 6 7 5 3 2 4 4 4 2 3 2 3 8 4 3 3 5 4 3 3 8 2 4 7 4 4 4 2 9 3 2 4 2 2 3 3 10 2003 2 October - 5 October 10 October - 12 October 20 October - 25 October 29 October - 4 November 18 December - 25 December Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded (extended closure due to rainfall level) Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded 2004 5 January - 10 January 11 February - 14 February 10 March -12 March 29 March - 2 April 23 April - 27 April 30 April - 4 May 5 May - 7 May 18 May - 21 May 5 June - 7 June 10 June - 13 June 15 June - 23 June 25 June - 29 June 1 July - 4 July 6 July - 9 July 24 July - 29 July 14 August - 18 August 30 August - 2 September 4 September - 7 September 8 September - 16 September 23 September - 25 September 27 - 31 October 3 - 10 November 13 - 17 November 9 - 13 December 2005 4 - 8 January 21 - 23 January 2 - 11 February 14 - 17 April 11- 13 June 14 - 18 June 20 – 22 June 10 – 12 July 17 – 20 July 26 – 29 July 4 – 14 August 29 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Table 6 (cont) Actual dates of cessation of harvesting at the Flinders Bight harvesting area during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007 according to harvesting status notices and based on 0900 24 hour rainfall data). Dates Harvesting Status Notices Indicates Suspension of Harvesting (Date of re-opening included) 2005 20 – 22 August 31 August – 3 September 12 – 15 September 17 – 20 September 29 September – 2 October 8 – 11 October 8 – 11 November 15 – 18 November 19 – 21 November 3 – 6 December 7 – 10 December 2006 2 – 5 January 11 – 13 January 27 – 30 January 2 – 4 February 10 – 12 February 26 February – 1 March 13 – 16 March 6 – 10 April 15 – 18 April 20 – 24 April 1 – 13 May 31 July – 3 August 4 – 7 August 24 – 27 August 4 – 6 September 24 – 27 September 15 – 18 November 23 – 27 December 2007 21 – 24 January 28 February – 3 March 24 – 27 March 22 – 25 April 28 April – 1 May 1 Reason Number Of Days Closed 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 2 3 2 2 3 3 4 3 4 12 3 3 3 2 3 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 269 1299 74 20.7 Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Rainfall trigger exceeded Total Number of Days closed Total Days Available Total Number of Closures Percentage of Time Closed 1 Period of report 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007, although for the purposes of closures, the period over which closures were calculated was extended to include 1 May 2007, as a closure due to rainfall was imposed on the Flinders harvesting area from 28 April to 1 May 2007. 30 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 10 Summary and Conclusions Routine phytoplankton sampling and testing was carried out at the Flinders harvesting area on 92 occasions over the 43 month period, between 1 October 2003 and 30 April 2007. The potentially toxic phytoplankton Pseudo-nitzschia spp., Dinophysis spp., and Dinophysis cf fortii were detected, but in low numbers only. The bitter taste species Rhizosolenia cf chunii, was also detected on a number of occasions, again in low numbers. No phytoplankton abundance trigger for tissue testing was exceeded. PSP biotoxin testing was conducted on mussel tissue from Flinders on 47 occasions and ASP on 30 occasions. Neither group of biotoxins was detected. Microbiological sampling was carried out on twenty-two occasions at Flinders, twenty of these in direct response to rainfall of varying amounts, and the remaining two conducted to determine the suitability of mussel tissue for human consumption following the exceptional rainfall event of 2 - 3 February 2005. Thermotolerant coliforms were detected in water samples from sites within the harvesting area on ten occasions, but numbers were generally low (2 – 11 org/100mL) and only exceeded the ASQAP guideline level for approved area classification of 14 orgs/100mL (geometric mean) at one site on one occasion (Site N >1,600 org./100mL, 24 January 2007). However, none of the thermotolerant coliforms detected at this site on this occasion were E. coli. On thirteen of the twenty-two sampling occasions, thermotolerant coliforms were detected in water samples from sites between the harvesting area and the shoreline, or seaward of the harvesting area. On four occasions at Site F, one occasion at Site A and one occasion at Site J, numbers were above the maximum permissible geometric mean for approved area classification. From 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007, E. coli was detected within mussel tissue from the Flinders Bight harvesting area on nine occasions. The FSANZ Food Standard of 230 E. coli/100g tissue was never exceeded, although on one occasion (4 February 2005), numbers were equal to the standard. The plate counts carried out on the mussel tissue from Flinders on each of the twenty-two events were low. The suspension of harvesting was undertaken at Flinders on 74 occasions over the period of reporting, as a result of rainfall exceeding trigger levels. This 31 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 represented approximately 21% of the time available for harvesting. They resulted from the use of conservative rainfall triggers as a management tool to minimise any risk mussels being harvested when contaminated. The extended closure between 2 - 11 February 2005 at Flinders followed two rainfall events, the exceptional weather event of 2 - 3 February and a second smaller rainfall event on 8 - 9 February. E. coli was detected at this harvesting area at a level equal to the FSANZ Food Standard on 4 February, but absent on 8 February. Nonetheless, harvesting was not resumed until 12 February due to an extension of the closure in response to the second smaller rainfall event. The recent microbiological data indicate that water quality within the Flinders Bight harvesting area continues to meet the ASQAP microbiological requirements for Conditionally Approved Area Classification. There was no evidence of any deterioration in water quality at the Flinders Bight harvesting area relative to previous monitoring results. The risk of the contamination of mussels by biotoxins and chemical toxicants is assessed as low. The pollution source survey revealed that the risks to water quality in the harvesting area have not increased since the last update report and remain low. The major threat continues to be faecal contamination from stormwater, surface and septic runoff from townships and agricultural runoff from stock at times of moderate to heavy rainfall. This is managed by the use of conservative rainfall triggers and harvesting closures. 32 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 11 References ANZFA (1997). Food Standards Code: Standard 1.4.1 Contaminants and Natural Toxicants. Australian & New Zealand Food Authority. APHA (1970). Recommended Procedures for the Examination of Seawater and Shellfish. 4th Edition. American Public Health Association. Arnott, G.H., Conron, S.D., Brand, G.W. and Reilly, D.J. (2000). Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program. 8. Sanitary Survey of Flinders Bight Shellfish Growing Area. Draft Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute Report: 1 - 53 ASQAAC (2005) Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program Operations Manual. Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Advisory Committee. Version 2002 – 04, May 2005. Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd (2006). Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP): Flinders Annual Report 2004 – 2006. Report Prepared by WATER ECOscience Pty Ltd for Fisheries Victoria, June 2006 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd (2007). Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program Operations Manual. EPA, Victoria (2001). Protecting the Waters of Western Port and Catchment. State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria) Schedule F8 Western Port and Catchment. Policy Impact Assessment. Environment Protection Authority, Victoria. Publication 797. EPA, Victoria (2003). State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria Policy Impact Assessment. Publication 905, Environment Protection Authority, Victoria. Fabris, G. J. (1995). Toxicants in Aquatic Biota from Port Phillip Bay: Data Analysis. CSIRO INRE Port Phillip Bay Environmental Study, Technical Report No. 22. Food Standards Australia & New Zealand FSANZ (2002). Food Standards Code. Standards 1.4.1 Contaminants and Natural Toxicants. Food Standards Australia & New Zealand FSANZ (2002). Food Standards Code. Standards 1.4.1 & 1.6.1.Microbiological Limits for Food. Food Standards Australia & New Zealand FSANZ (2002). 19th Australian Total Diet Survey, Table 10. Total Arsenic Levels (mg/kg) Found in Foods. Hickman, N. (2003). Risk Assessment and Treatment for Biotoxin Monitoring. Internal Report, PIRVic, Fisheries Division, Department of Primary Industries. Phillips, D., Richardson, B., Murray, A. and Fabris, J.G. (1992). Trace Metals, Organochlorines, and Hydrocarbons in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria: A Historical Perspective. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 25: 200 – 217. 33 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Port of Hastings Corporation (2005). Port of Hastings Corporation Annual Report 2004 – 2005. Port of Hastings website: (www.portofhastings.vic.gov.au). Melbourne Water (2006). Essential Facts – Eastern Treatment Plant. Melbourne Water, April 2006. South East Water Limited (2004). Flinders Connection - Sustainable Sewerage Solutions for Flinders, Shoreham and Point Leo. Community Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 1, April 2004. Van Maanen, A.E. (1995). Mussel Watch: Bioaccumulation of Xenobiotic, Heavy Metal and Alkyltin Toxicants from Western Treatment Plant in Port Phillip Bay. Research Report No. 10,Melbourne Water. Victorian Government Gazette (2003). Variation to State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria). No. S 107, Wednesday 4 June 2003. WATER ECOscience Pty Ltd (2004). Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP): Flinders Comprehensive Sanitary Survey 2003. Report Prepared by WATER ECOscience Pty Ltd for Fisheries Victoria, April 2004. WATER ECOscience Pty Ltd (2005). Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP): Flinders Annual Report 2003 – 2004. Report Prepared by WATER ECOscience Pty Ltd For Fisheries Victoria, April 2005. . 34 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Appendix 1: Monitoring Completed and Biotoxins 35 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Table 1 Date Details of each sampling event, the testing completed and biotoxin results at Flinders during the period 1 October 2003 to30 April 2007 Event Type Phytoplankton (Water) Plankton Net Haul (Identification) 1L Water (Enumeration) Mouse bioassay (μg/100g) Biotoxin (Tissue) PSP Jellett Rapid ASP (μg/g) Microbiological Water DSP (μg/100g) Tissue Total E. coli Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms E. coli Plate Count Total Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms 2003 3 October 20 October 3 November 17 November 1 December 15 December 29 December 2004 12 January 27 January 9 February 12 February 23 February Routine Routine Routine Adverse (Rainfall) Routine Routine + Adverse (Rainfall) Routine Routine Routine Routine Routine Routine + + + + + + + + + + + + + + <44.1 <44 <45.7 N/A <42.7 N/A <43 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 N/A <0.5 N/A <0.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A + + + + + + + + + + + + + N/A <45 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A <0.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A + + + <41.6 N/A <0.5 N/A + + + + + + Table 1 (cont.) Details of each sampling event, the testing completed and biotoxin results at Flinders during the period1 October 2003 to30 April 2007 36 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Date Event Type Phytoplankton (Water) Plankton Net Haul (Identification) 1L Water (Enumeration) Mouse bioassay (μg/100g) Biotoxin (Tissue) PSP Jellett Rapid ASP (μg/g) Microbiological Water DSP (μg/100g) Tissue E. coli Total Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms E. coli Plate Count Total Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms 2004 (cont.) 9 March 22 March 31 March 6 April 19 April 6 May 17 May 7 June 21 June 8 July 19 July 27 July 2 August Routine Routine Adverse (Rainfall) Routine Routine Routine Routine Routine Routine Routine Routine Adverse (Rainfall) Routine + + + + N/A <42.4 N/A N/A N/A <0.5 N/A N/A + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + N/A <44.1 N/A <44.5 N/A <42 N/A <42.2 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A <0.5 N/A <0.5 N/A <0.5 N/A <0.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A + + + + + + + + + N/A N/A N/A N/A + + + + + + Table 1 (cont.) Details of each sampling event, the testing completed and biotoxin results at Flinders during the period 1 October 2003 to30 April 2007 37 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Date Event Type Phytoplankton (Water) Plankton Net Haul (Identification) 1L Water (Enumeration) Mouse bioassay (μg/100g) Biotoxin (Tissue) PSP Jellett Rapid ASP (μg/g) Microbiological Water DSP (μg/100g) Tissue E. coli Total Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms E. coli Plate Count Total Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms 2004 (cont.) 16 August 30 August 13 September 27 September 13 October 25 October 28 October 8 November 22 November 6 December 20 December 2005 10 January Routine Routine + Adverse (Rainfall) Routine Routine + Adverse (Rainfall) Routine Routine Routine Adverse (Rainfall) Routine Routine Routine Routine + + + + + + + + <45.5 N/A <41.6 N/A <43.6 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A <0.5 N/A <0.5 N/A <0.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + <42.6 N/A <42.6 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A <0.5 N/A <0.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A + + + + + + + + <43.6 N/A <0.5 N/A Table 1 (cont.) Details of each sampling event, the testing completed and biotoxin results at Flinders during the period 1 October 2003 to30 April 2007 38 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Date Event Type Phytoplankton (Water) Plankton Net Haul (Identification) 1L Water (Enumeration) Mouse bioassay (μg/100g) Biotoxin (Tissue) PSP ASP (μg/g) Microbiological Water DSP (μg/100g) Tissue Total E. coli Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms E. coli Plate Count Total Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms Jellett Rapid 2005 (cont.) 24 January 4 February 8 February 9 February 21 February 7 March 21 March 5 April 20 April 2 May 16 May 30 May Routine Routine + Adverse (Rainfall) Adverse (Pollution) Adverse (Pollution) Routine Routine Routine Routine Routine Routine Routine Routine Routine + Adverse 20 June (Rainfall) Table 1 (cont.) + + + + N/A <43.7 N/A N/A N/A <0.5 N/A N/A + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + N/A <42.7 N/A <41.1 N/A <39.8 N/A <40.8 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A <0.5 N/A <0.5 N/A <0.5 N/A <0.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A + + + + + + + Details of each sampling event, the testing completed and biotoxin results at Flinders during the 1 October 2003 to30 April 2007 39 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Date Event Type Phytoplankton (Water) Plankton Net Haul (Identification) 1L Water (Enumeration) Mouse bioassay (μg/100g) Biotoxin (Tissue) PSP Jellett Rapid ASP (μg/g) Microbiological Water DSP (μg/100g) Tissue Total E. coli Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms E. coli Plate Count Total Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms 2005 (cont). 4 July 18 July 1 August 5 August 12 August 16 August 1 September Routine Routine Routine Adverse (Rainfall) Adverse (Rainfall) Routine Routine + Adverse (Rainfall) Routine + Adverse (Rainfall) Routine Routine + Adverse (Rainfall) Routine Routine Routine + + + + + + <44.5 N/A <44.5 N/A N/A N/A <0.5 N/A <0.5 N/A N/A N/A + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + N/A <44.2 N/A N/A N/A <0.5 N/A N/A + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 13 September 26 September 10 October 25 October 7 November 21 November N/A <43.8 N/A <45.7 N/A <44.1 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A <0.5 N/A <0.5 N/A <0.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A + + + + + + + Table 1 (cont.) Details of each sampling event, the testing completed and biotoxin results at Flinders during the period 1 October 2003 to30 April 2007 40 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Date Event Type Phytoplankton (Water) Plankton Net Haul (Identification) 1L Water (Enumeration) Mouse bioassay (μg/100g) Biotoxin (Tissue) PSP Jellett Rapid ASP (μg/g) Microbiological Water DSP (μg/100g) Tissue Total E. coli Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms E. coli Plate Count Total Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms 2005 (cont.) 5 December 19 December 2006 4 January 16 January 30 January 14 February 27 February 14 March 27 March 10 April 24 April 2 May Routine Routine Routine Routine Routine Routine + Adverse (Rainfall) Routine Routine Routine Adverse (Rainfall) Routine Routine + + + + N/A <42.3 N/A N/A N/A <0.5 N/A N/A + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + N/A <43.4 N/A <43.2 N/A <43.4 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -ve N/A -ve N/A -ve N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 41 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Table 1 (cont.) Date Details of each sampling event, the testing completed and biotoxin results at Flinders during the period 1 October 2003 to30 April 2007 Phytoplankton (Water) Plankton Net Haul (Identification) 1L Water (Enumeration) Mouse bioassay (μg/100g) Event Type Biotoxin (Tissue) PSP Jellett Rapid ASP (μg/g) Microbiological Water DSP (μg/100g) Tissue Total E. coli Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms E. coli Plate Count Total Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms 2006 (cont.) 11 May 22 May 5 June 19 June 3 July 17 July 1 August 15 August 25 August 28 August 11 September 26 September 9 October 23 October Routine Routine Routine Routine Routine Routine Routine Routine Adverse (Rainfall) Routine Routine Routine Routine Routine + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -ve N/A -ve N/A -ve N/A -ve N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A + + + + + + + + + + + <44.6 N/A N/A N/A <44.5 Invalid N/A -ve N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A + + + + + + 42 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Table 1 (cont.) Date Details of each sampling event, the testing completed and biotoxin results at Flinders during the period 1 October 2003 to30 April 2007 Phytoplankton (Water) Plankton Net Haul (Identification) 1L Water (Enumeration) Mouse bioassay (μg/100g) Event Type Biotoxin (Tissue) PSP Jellett Rapid ASP (μg/g) Microbiological Water DSP (μg/100g) Tissue Total E. coli Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms E. coli Plate Count Total Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms 2006 (cont.) 6 November 18 November 4 December 18 December 2007 2 January 15 January 24 January 29 January 14 February 26 February 3 March 13 March Routine Routine Adverse (Rainfall) Routine Routine Routine Adverse (Rainfall) Routine Table 1 (cont.) Routine Routine + Adverse (Rainfall) Routine Routine + + + + + + + + N/A <42.2 N/A <42.8 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A + + + + + + + + + + + N/A <44.9 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A + + + + + + + N/A <44.4 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A + + + + + + + + + <44.5 N/A N/A N/A + + + + + + Details of each sampling event, the testing completed and biotoxin results at Flinders during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007 43 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Date Event Type Phytoplankton (Water) Plankton Net Haul (Identification) 1L Water (Enumeration) Mouse bioassay (μg/100g) Biotoxin (Tissue) PSP Jellett Rapid ASP (μg/g) Microbiological Water DSP (μg/100g) Tissue Total E. coli Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms E. coli Plate Count Total Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms 2007 (cont). 26 March 10 April 23 April Routine Routine Routine + + + + + + N/A <44.7 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 44 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Appendix 2: Rainfall Exceeding Triggers 45 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Table 2 Rainfall (mm) data where the Flinders Bight rainfall trigger was exceeded during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007 (bold type). (Cerberus Meteorological Station: Data obtained from the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology). Date 2003 2 October 3 October 10 October 11 October 19 October 20 October 21 October 22 October 23 October 24 October 29 October 30 October 31 October 1 November 2 November 3 November 19 December 20 December 21 December 22 December 23 December 24 December 2004 5 January 6 January 8 January 9 January 11 February 12 February 13 February 9 March 10 March 11 March 29 March 30 March 31 March 23 April 24 April 25 April 30 April 1 May 2 May 3 May 4 May Rainfall Trigger (mm): 7 mm over 24 hr 11 mm over 48 hr 30 mm over 72 hr Rainfall (mm) Date 2004 (cont.) 15.4 5 May 0.4 6 May 8.6 18 May 0.4 19 May 2.8 20 May 12.2 4 June 3.6 5 June 11.8 6 June 4 9 June 2 10 June 9.4 11 June 0.6 12 June 11.8 14 June 8.8 15 June 7.8 16 June 0 17 June 17.2 18 June 0 19 June 0.4 20 June 15 21 June 0.6 22 June 0 24 June 25 June 14 26 June 0 27 June 8 28 June 0.6 1 July 22.8 2 July 8.6 3 July 0 5 July 6 6 July 6.4 7 July 0 8 July 8.8 24 July 19.4 25 July 0.4 26 July 16 27 July 18.4 28 July 0.2 29 July 13 13 August 12.8 14 August 7.2 15 August 2.8 16 August 0 Rainfall (mm) 9.4 0 8.8 9 0 5.6 5.4 0 3 14.8 0.2 0.2 3.4 19.8 14.6 2.6 16 4.4 13.2 7.2 0.2 1.2 7.2 24.8 0.2 0 14.6 2.2 0.8 6 8 5 3 9 0.2 17.2 1 5 0.4 2.4 15.6 12.8 0.0 46 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Table 2 (cont.) Rainfall (mm) data where the Flinders Bight rainfall trigger was exceeded during the period period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007 (bold type). (Cerberus Meteorological Station: Data obtained from the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology). Date 2004 (cont.). 30 August 31 August 1 September 4 September 5 September 6 September 8 September 9 September 10 September 11 September 12 September 13 September 23 September 24 September 29 September 30 September 1 October 2 October 27 October 28 October 29 October 30 October 2 November 3 November 4 November 5 November 6 November 7 November 8 November 9 November 12 November 13 November 14 November 15 November 9 December 10 December 11 December 2005 4 January 5 January 6 January 21 January 22 January 2 February 3 February 4 February 5 February 6 February 7 February 8 February Rainfall Trigger (mm): 7 mm over 24 hr 11 mm over 48 hr 30 mm over 72 hr Rainfall (mm) Date 2005 (cont.) 8.0 9 February 8.0 4 March 1.0 5 March 14.0 6 March 0.2 7 March 0 13 April 16 14 April 5 15 April 0.8 16 April 22 10 June 28 11 June 2 12 June 8.0 13 June 0.6 14 June 14.0 15 June 0.6 16 June 0 17 June 0 18 June 30.2 19 June 7.2 20 June 0 21 June 0 9 July 0 10 July 13.8 17 July 0 18 July 13.8 19 July 10.8 24 July 5.2 25 July 7.8 26 July 0 27 July 6.0 28 July 34.2 4 August 2.6 5 August 1.8 6 August 10 7 August 12.6 8 August 0.2 9 August 10 August 17.4 11 August 17.6 12 August 0 13 August 8.6 30 August 0 31 August 22.2 1 September 89.4 2 September 0.6 1 2.6 0 4.6 Rainfall (mm) 7.8 0 4.8 7 0.6 0 11.2 2.8 0 1.4 9.6 0.2 0 11.8 0 8.2 0.8 0 4.6 6.6 2.6 1.6 8.2 12.2 9.8 0 0.2 5.2 8.6 4.0 0 33.8 2.8 0 1.6 10.6 0 7 20.8 7.6 0.6 2.8 19.6 1.6 0 47 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Table 2 (cont.) Rainfall (mm) data where the Flinders Bight rainfall trigger was exceeded during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007 (bold type). (Cerberus Meteorological Station: Data obtained from the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology). Date 2005 (cont.) 11 September 12 September 13 September 14 September 15 September 16 September 17 September 18 September 19 September 28 September 29 September 30 September 7 October 8 October 9 October 10 October 7 November 8 November 9 November 10 November 14 November 15 November 16 November 17 November 18 November 19 November 20 November 2 December 3 December 4 December 5 December 6 December 7 December 8 December 9 December 2006 1 January 2 January 3 January 11 January 12 January 26 January 27 January 28 January 29 January 30 January 1 February 2 February 3 February Rainfall Trigger (mm): 7 mm over 24 hr 11 mm over 48 hr 30 mm over 72 hr Rainfall (mm) Date 2006 (cont.) 2.8 8 February 18.6 9 February 2.8 10 February 1 11 February 4.4 25 February 2 26 February 11.6 27 February 7.4 12 March 1.6 13 March 0 14 March 22 5 April 0.6 6 April 0.2 7 April 21.4 8 April 6.4 9 April 0.6 10 April 0 13 April 12.4 14 April 1.8 15 April 0 16 April 0.0 17 April 24.4 18 April 0 19 April 0 20 April 0 21 April 7.0 22 April 0.2 23 April 0 24 April 23.0 25 April 1.2 29 April 0 30 April 0.0 1 May 22.6 2 May 1.2 3 May 0 4 May 5 May 0 6 May 12.0 7 May 0.4 8 May 9.8 9 May 0.2 10 May 0.0 11 May 13.6 12 May 2.4 30 July 4.8 31 July 0 1 August 1.4 2 August 7.2 3 August 0 4 August 5 August Rainfall (mm) 0 1.6 7.6 0.0 0.2 10.6 0 0 19.8 0 0 8.4 10.2 1.4 0.2 0 0 1.0 19.6 0.6 0.2 0 0 7.2 15.8 3.2 3.2 0.2 0 0 1.4 14 1.4 1.6 14.8 0 8.6 15.2 9.4 0 14.4 1.2 0 0.2 10.4 8.2 1.2 0.2 15.4 0 48 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Table 2 (cont.) Rainfall (mm) data where the Flinders Bight rainfall trigger was exceeded during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007 (bold type). (Cerberus Meteorological Station: Data obtained from the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology). Date 2006 (cont.) 22 September 23 September 24 September 25 September 26 September 27 September 11 November 12 November 13 November 14 November 15 November 16 November 17 November 22 December 23 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 27 December 28 December Rainfall Trigger (mm): 7 mm over 24 hr 11 mm over 48 hr 30 mm over 72 hr Rainfall (mm) Date 2007 0 18 January 4.4 19 January 11.2 20 January 5.4 21 January 0 22 January 0 23 January 0 27 February 4.0 28 February 0.6 1 March 3.4 2 March 10.8 24 March 2.8 25 March 0 26 March 0 27 April 17.6 28 April 0 29 April 7.0 30 April 3.0 1 May 1.6 0 Rainfall (mm) 0 2.4 0 15.2 7.6 0 0 22 0 0 20.6 1.0 0 0 11.2 0.6 2.0 0.2 49 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Appendix 3: Phytoplankton Monitoring Results 50 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Table 3 Abundance of nuisance phytoplankton (cells/L) detected at the Flinders Bight harvesting area during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007 Nuisance Phytoplankton Abundance Pseudo-nitzschia spp. Sampling Date 2003 3 October 20 October 3 November 17 November 1 December 15 December 29 December 2004 12 January 27 January 9 February 23 February 9 March 22 March 6 April 19 April 6 May 17 May 7 June 21 June 8 July 19 July 2 August 16 August 30 August 13 September 27 September 13 October 25 October 8 November 22 November 6 December 20 December 2005 10 January 24 January 4 February 21 February 7 March 21 March 5 April 20 April R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R (Dinophysis cf fortii) R (Dinophysis cf fortii) R R R R R R R R R R R R R R (Dinophysis cf fortii) R R R R R R R R R R Rhizosolenia cf chunii Dinophysis spp. 51 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Table3 (cont.) Abundance of nuisance phytoplankton (cells/L) detected at the Flinders Bight harvesting area during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007 Nuisance Phytoplankton Abundance Dinophysis spp Pseudo-nitzschia spp. Rhizosolenia cf chunii 2005 (cont). 2 May 16 May 30 May 20 June 4 July 18 July 1 August 16 August 1 September 13 September 26 September 10 October 25 October 7 November 21 November 5 December 19 December 2006 4 January 16 January 30 January 14 February 27 February 14 March 27 March 10 April 24 April 11 May 22 May 5 June 19 June 3 July 17 July 1 August 15 August 28 August 11 September 26 September 9 October 23 October 6 November 18 November 4 December 18 December R R R (Dinophysis cf fortii) R R R R R R R R R R R R R (Dinophysis cf fortii) R R R R R R R R R R R R R R (Dinophysis fortii) R (Dinophysis spp.) R R R R R (Dinophysis cf fortii) R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R (Dinophysis cf fortii) R *Blank = Not Detected R = Rare 52 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Table 3 (cont.) Abundance of nuisance phytoplankton (cells/L) detected at the Flinders Bight harvesting area during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007 Nuisance Phytoplankton Abundance Dinophysis spp Pseudo-nitzschia spp. Rhizosolenia cf chunii 2007 2 January 15 January 29 January 14 February 26 February 13 March 26 March 10 April 23 April *Blank = Not Detected R R (Dinophysis cf fortii) R R R R R R R = Rare 53 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Appendix 4: Bacteriological Monitoring Results 54 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Total Coliforms Table 5 Total coliform numbers per 100 mL of water recorded at the Flinders Bight harvesting area during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007 FLINDERS Date 2003 3 October 2004 12 February 31 March 27 July 16 August 13 September 28 October 2005 4 February 8 February 9 February 20 June 5 August 12 August 1 September 13 September 10 October 2006 14 March 2 May 25 August 18 November 2007 24 January 3 March 49 8 13 <2 46 <2 540 <2 350 <2 240 <2 >1,600 <2 >1,600 <2 >1,600 <2 >1,600 <2 <2 8 <2 <2 <2 4 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 5 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 22 <2 <2 2 <2 17 <2 350 2 14 <2 <2 <2 <2 17 <2 6 9 27 <2 <2 <2 <2 23 <2 34 2 220 <2 2 <2 13 49 <2 920 2 34 <2 <2 <2 9 94 <2 240 5 12 <2 <2 <2 <2 49 <2 33 <2 17 <2 <2 <2 7 49 <2 6 <2 13 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 5 <2 4 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 1,600 <2 23 <2 <2 2 <2 2 <2 7 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 5 <2 7 4 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 7 11 <2 5 11 14 4 22 11 2 *A B C D E *F *G *H I *J L # M # N Area expanded – site locations revised 4 <2 <2 4 5 2 2 <2 2 4 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 2 5 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 *between harvesting area and shoreline or outside harvesting area boundary # Sites located seaward of the harvesting area 55 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Thermotolerant coliforms Table 6 Thermotolerant (faecal) coliform numbers per 100 mL of water recorded at the Flinders Bight harvesting area during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007. FLINDERS Date 2003 3 October 2004 12 February 31 March 27 July 16 August 13 September 28 October 2005 4 February 8 February 9 February 20 June 5 August 12 August 1 September 13 September 10 October 2006 14 March 2 May 25 August 18 November 2007 24 January 3 March 2 <2 5 <2 5 <2 23 <2 9 <2 4 <2 17 <2 9 <2 12 <2 >1,600 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 4 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 5 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 8 <2 <2 <2 <2 5 <2 17 2 8 <2 <2 <2 <2 11 <2 2 5 11 <2 <2 <2 <2 8 <2 2 <2 49 <2 <2 <2 2 23 <2 23 2 7 <2 <2 <2 2 8 <2 7 2 5 <2 <2 <2 <2 5 <2 2 <2 4 <2 <2 <2 <2 7 <2 2 <2 5 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 8 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 5 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 2 7 <2 5 8 5 <2 11 5 <2 *A B C D E *F *G *H I *J # L # M N Area expanded – site locations revised <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 2 <2 2 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 2 5 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 *between harvesting area and shoreline or outside harvesting area boundary # Sites located seaward of the harvesting area Bold: Greater than maximum geometric mean permissible for Approved Classification of 14 org/100mL. Bold (italics): Greater than 43 org/100mL (permissible for not more than 10% of samples for Approved Classification). 56 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 E. coli Table 7 E. coli numbers per 100 mL of water recorded at the Flinders Bight harvesting area during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007. Date 2003 3 October 2004 12 February 31 March 27 July 16 August 13 September 2004 28 October 2005 4 February 8 February 9 February 20 June 5 August 12 August 1 September 13 September 10 October 2006 14 March 2 May 25 August 18 November 2007 24 January 3 March 2 <2 5 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 7 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 4 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 5 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 8 <2 <2 <2 <2 5 <2 11 2 8 <2 <2 <2 <2 8 <2 2 5 11 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 2 <2 49 <2 <2 <2 2 23 <2 23 2 7 <2 <2 <2 2 8 <2 7 2 5 <2 <2 <2 <2 5 <2 2 <2 4 <2 <2 <2 <2 4 <2 2 <2 5 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 8 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 5 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 4 <2 5 8 5 <2 11 5 <2 *A B C D E *F *G *H I *J # L # M N Area expanded – site locations revised <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 2 2 <2 2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 5 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 *between harvesting area and shoreline or outside harvesting area boundary # Sites located seaward of the harvesting area Bold: Greater than 14 E. coli/100mL Bold (Italics): Greater than 43 E. coli/100mL 57 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Table 8 Summary data for the number of thermotolerant (faecal) coliforms per 100 mL of water for all adverse sampling events conducted at the Flinders harvesting area for the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007. DATA SUMMARY – FLINDERS Site *A B E *F *G I *J L # # No. of Samples 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 21 21 21 Range <2 – 17 <2 – 11 <2 – 11 <2 – 49 <2 – 9 <2 – 5 <2 – 17 <2 – 9 <2 – 12 <2 - >1,600 Geometric Mean 2.37 2.76 2.46 3.26 2.59 2.25 2.42 2.14 2.08 2.82 Median <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 Percent > 43 0 0 0 4.5 0 0 0 0 0 4.8 M N Table 9 Summary data for the number of E. coli per 100 mL of water for all adverse sampling events conducted at the Flinders harvesting area for the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007. DATA SUMMARY – FLINDERS Site *A B E *F *G I *J L # # No. of Samples 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 21 21 21 Range <2 – 11 <2- 8 <2 – 11 <2 - 49 <2 – 8 <2 – 5 <2 – 5 <2 – 5 <2 – 2 <2 - 8 Geometric Mean 2.32 2.66 2.21 2.92 2.56 2.17 2.13 1.99 1.91 2.04 Median <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 M N During the period covered by this report Sites C, D and H were only sampled once (1 October 2003). These sites have therefore not been included in the tables above. 58 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Appendix 5: Tissue Monitoring Results 59 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Table 10 Total coliform, thermotolerant coliform and E. coli numbers per 100 g of mussel tissue (MPN), and Standard Plate Count (org. / g) for each sampling date for the Flinders Bight harvesting area during the period 1 October 2003 to 30 April 2007 FLINDERS BIGHT – MUSSEL TISSUE Date Total Coliforms Thermotolerant (faecal) Coliforms 2003 3 October 2004 12 February 31 March 27 July 16 August 13 September 2004 28 October 2005 4 February 8 February 9 February 20 June 5 August 12 August 1 September 13 September 10 October 2006 14 March 2 May 25 August 18 November 2007 24 January 3 March <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 170 45 130 230 20 <20 20 50 20 <20 20 50 20 <20 150 1,200 80 250 2,400 80 <20 <20 <20 490 50 20 40 230 <20 <20 <20 <20 50 <20 <20 <20 230 <20 <20 <20 <20 50 <20 <20 <20 2,200 200 220 50 250 7,000 310 130 400 50 <20 <20 210 >16,000 130 <20 330 20 490 80 80 <20 20 <20 80 80 80 <20 20 <20 80 14,000 280 1,000 10,000 500 3,000 E. coli Standard Plate Count Bold: Numbers exceed the FSANZ Food Standard of 230 E. coli /100g tissue. FSANZ Food Standards Code, Standard 1.6.1 specifies that bivalves, other than scallops, must have an E. coli count not exceeding 2.3 E. coli /g food. There is currently no requirement for a standard plate count for bivalve molluscs other than scallops, but the former ANZFA Standard (1998) was not exceeding 100,000 organisms/g food 60 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Table 11 Chemical residues in mussel tissue from the Flinders Bight harvesting area in March 2007. FLINDERS Parameter Organochlorine residues Aldrin BHC - alpha BHC - beta BHC - delta cis - chlordane trans - chlordane Oxychlordane p,p - DDD p,p - DDE p,p - DDT Dieldrin Endosulfan - alpha Endosulfan - beta Endosulfan sulfate Endrin Heptachlor Heptachlor epoxide Lindane mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg <0.05 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.05 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.05 <0.02 <0.02 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.02 <0.05 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.05 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.05 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.05 <0.02 <0.02 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.02 <0.05 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.05 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.05 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.05 <0.02 <0.02 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.02 <0.05 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 Units FB1 FB2 FB3 Organophosphate residues Azinphos ethyl Azinphos methyl Bromophos ethyl Carbophenothion Chlorfenvinphos Chlorpyrifos Chlorpyrifos methyl Coumaphos Diazinon Dimethoate Ethion Fenamiphos Fenchlorphos Fenitrothion Fenthion Fenthion ethyl Malathion Methidathion Mevinphos Parathion ethyl Parathion methyl Pirimiphos methyl Triazines Atrazine Cyanizine Hexazinone Metribuzin Prometryn Pymetrozine Simazine Terbutryn Acid Herbicides Triclopyr Chlorpyralid Dicamba MCPA 2,4-D Fluoroxypyr Pichloram 61 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Table 11 (cont.) Chemical residues in mussel tissue from the Flinders Bight harvesting area in March 2007. FLINDERS Parameter Metals Arsenic (Total) Selenium (Total) Cadmium (Total) Copper (Total) Chromium (Total) Lead (Total) Nickel (Total) Zinc (Total) Mercury (Total) mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg 2.7 0.74 0.18 0.85 0.1 0.03 0.2 36 0.006 2.1 0.64 0.15 0.66 0.1 0.02 0.2 22 0.006 2.3 0.77 0.15 0.73 0.1 0.03 0.2 33 0.005 Units FB1 FB2 FB3 Table 12 Food standards for metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg) and levels in mussel tissue Cadmium (Cd) Bioaccumulation Concentration Factor (BCF) ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000) Chromium (Cr) 10 – 1,000 (Lower in seawater) (Cr IV most toxic) Copper (Cu) 100 – 26,000 (Toxicity lower in seawater) Mercury (Hg) 4,000 – 85,000 Units 100 – 105 (Lower in seawater) (methyl mercury) 5,000 (Hg2+) 10,000 – 40,000 (Both in oysters) FLINDERS BIGHT Harvesting Area 21 July 2003 (3 composite samples) FLINDERS BIGHT Harvesting Area 13 March 2007 (3 composite samples) Strictest Permissible Level of Three Standards Noted Below Maximum Level (ML) FSANZ FSC Code, (2002), Molluscs Maximum Permissible Concentration (MPC) ANZFA Food Standards Code (1997) Recommended Water Quality Concentration (RWQC), EPA Vic (1983) 0.3 – 0.4 0.15 – 0.32 (19 September 2003) 2.0 – 7.5 0.012 – 0.015 mg/kg wet wt mg/kg wet wt mg/kg wet wt 0.15 – 0.18 0.1 0.66 – 0.85 0.005 – 0.006 0.5 (Avg. for batch) 0.5 (Avg. for batch) 2.0 5.5 70 2.0 - - mg/kg wet wt 2.0 - 70 0.5 (Avg. for batch) mg/kg wet wt 5.5 mg/kg wet wt 62 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Table12 (cont.) Food standards for metals (As, Pb, Se, Zn) and levels in mussel tissue Lead (Pb) Bioaccumulation Concentration Factor (BCF) ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000) Usually not present in sufficient quantities Zinc (Zn) - Selenium (Se) - Arsenic (As) - Units FLINDERS BIGHT Harvesting Area 21 July 2003 (3 composite samples) FLINDERS BIGHT Harvesting Area 13 March 2007 (3 composite samples) Strictest Permissible Level of Two Standards Noted Below Maximum Level (ML) FSANZ FSC Code, (2002), Molluscs Maximum Permissible Concentration (MPC) ANZFA Food Standards Code (1997) 0.03 – 0.05 20 - 31 Not analysed Not analysed mg/kg wet wt mg/kg wet wt mg/kg wet wt 0.02 – 0.03 22 - 36 1,000 (oysters) 150 AOF 0.64 – 0.77 1.0 (In van Maanen, 1995) 2.1 – 2.7 2.0 2.0 (0.5 for fish) 1.0 1.0 (2.0 for fish) - mg/kg wet wt 2.5 1,000 (oysters) 150 AOF mg/kg wet wt 63 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Appendix 6: VSQAP Phytoplankton Abundance Triggers 64 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Ecowise Environmental Toxin Alga / Algal Group Phytoplankton Abundance Triggers for the VSQAP (cells/L) Harvest Resumption Warning Tissue Harvest Issued Testing Suspension to Pending Growers Toxin Analysis 100,000 300,000 500,000 <10 μg/g domoic acid for 3 successive samples over 14 days; phytoplankton abundance not rising. As Above Harvesting suspended/resumed by growers depending on taste of mussels. <80 μg/100g PSP for 3 successive samples over 14 days; phytoplankton abundance not rising. As Above As Above As Above <80 μg/100g PSP for 3 successive samples over 14 days; phytoplankton abundance not rising. <16 μg/100g DSP for 3 successive samples over 14 days; phytoplankton abundance not rising. As Above Bacillariophyceae Pseudo-nitzschia spp. (<50% total phytoplankton) Pseudo-nitzschia spp. (>50% total phytoplankton) Rhizosolenia cf chunii ASP (domoic acid) ASP Bitter Taste 50,000 10,000 Level 1 Warning 100,000 N/A 200,000 20,000 Level 2 Warning Dinophyceae Alexandrium catenella PSP 100 Routine or 100 Routine or 100 Routine or 100 Routine or 100 Routine or 100 *500 Alexandrium minutum Alexandrium tamarense Alexandrium spp. (unknown or in doubt) Gymnodinium catenatum PSP PSP Some strains 100 100 100 *500 *500 *500 PSP Some strains PSP 100 *500 Dinophysis acuminata DSP 1,000 1,000 2,000 Dinophysis caudata Dinophysis fortii Dinophysis acuta Dinophysis spp. DSP 1,000 1,000 2,000 ?DSP 1,000 1,000 2,000 As Above – precautionary only till further information available < 20 MU/100g for 3 successive samples over 14 days; phytoplankton abundance not rising. As Above Karenia brevis (Probably not in Australia) NSP 1,000 2,000 5,000 Karenia cf brevis (Flat, Australian species morphologically similar to K. brevis). Karenia mikimotoi Prorocentrum lima ?NSP 1,000 2,000 5,000 ?NSP ?DSP 1,000 1,000 2,000 1,000 5,000 2,000 As Above <16 μg/100g DSP for 3 successive samples over 14 days; phytoplankton abundance not rising. * Australian Marine Biotoxin Management Plan for Shellfish Farming (2001) trigger adopted for now until more information is available for PPB NOTE: Harvest suspension pending biotoxin analysis is precautionary; suspension / resumption of harvesting will be determined by toxin levels and their regulatory limit as noted below. Ecowise Environmental Tissue Biotoxin Regulatory Limits for the VSQAP 65 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Toxin Class PSP ASP (domoic acid) DSP NSP Units μg/100g μg/g (ppm) μg/100g Regulatory Limit 80 20 20 Method Bioassay HPLC HPLC/MS Limit of Detection 26 0.5 – 1.0 0.3 Laboratory Utilised Medvet (IMVS) PIRVic Werribee Cawthron Institute (NZ) N/A LC/MS Cawthron Institute (NZ) μg/100g 20 Bioassay 10 Cawthron Institute (NZ) MU/100g *Yessotoxins (YTX) *100 HPLC/MS Qualitative Qld Health Scientific Services μg/100g *Axaspiracids (AZA) *16 HPLC/MS Qualitative Qld Health Scientific Services μg/100g MU = mouse units PSP, ASP< DSP & NSP regulatory limits from FSANZ Food Standards Code, Standard 1.4.1 (2002). * Not regulated or detected in Australia to date. CEC draft regulation recommended level. Presence of both monitored as part of VSQAP. 66 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Appendix 7: Shoreline Survey Photos 67 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Site 1 West Head near gunnery P1 Site 1A West Head near gunnery Site 2 Flinders Beach Site 2A Flinders Jetty Car Park playground Site 3 Flinders Jetty car park far end Site 3 Flinders Jetty car park far end 68 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Site 3 Flinders Jetty car park near end Site 4 The Esplanade Site 5 War memorial car park Site 6 Dodd’s Creek Site 6 Dodd’s Creek Site 6 Dodd’s Creek Site 6 Dodd’s Creek Site 6A before Northernmost house at Flinders 69 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Site 7 Northernmost house at Flinders Site 8 Manton’s Creek Site 8 Manton’s Creek Site 8 Manton’s Creek Site 8 Manton’s Creek Site 8 Manton’s Creek Site 8 Manton’s Creek Site 8 Manton’s Creek 70 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Site 9 Stony Creek Site 9 Stony Creek Site 9 Stony Creek Site 9 Stony Creek Site 9 Stony Creek Site 9 Stony Creek Site 10 Site 11 71 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Site 12 at beach Site 12 inland Site 13 Site 13 Site 14 channel near beach Site 14 channel Site 14A Point Leo Yacht Club Site 14B Point Leo Yacht Club 72 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 Site 15 Point Leo Site 15 Point Leo Site 15A Point Leo beach Site 15A Point Leo roadside Site 16 East Creek Site 16 East Creek Site 16 East Creek Site 16 East Creek 73 Ecowise Environmental Pty Ltd – Victorian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (VSQAP) Flinders Triennial Update Report 2003 - 2007 74