Guernsey
Sea Farms
JANUARY 2005
ECOTOX SERVICES - GENERAL INFORMATION
Since 1989 Guernsey Sea Farms has established a reputation as the leading supplier of oysters, Crassostrea gigas, for use in the 'oyster embryo bioassay'(1). This test is used for monitoring of marine disposal sites(2), estuarine effluents and the toxicity testing of chemicals. It is included in the UK National Marine Monitoring Plan, and is being used by the Environment Agency for the development of toxicity-based discharge consents (4).
Since 1994 we have also been able to supply two species of marine copepod, acartia tonsa and tisbe battagliae. Acartia is the species recommended by the Paris Commission (PARCOM) after an extensive ring test, and has an International Standards Organisation test protocol (3). Tisbe is a complementary species with a more estuarine and benthic habitat favoured by some laboratories, also in the ISO method.
In 1995 we participated in a large ring-test organised by WRc/NRA performing both the acartia and oyster embryo test 5 times with 2 reference toxicants to an agreed protocol (5). Since 1996 we have performed toxicity tests and bioassays commercially using agreed Standard Operating Procedures.
We recognise the importance of Quality Assurance and have a comprehensive system of stock records, temperature logging and datasheets. We regularly perform a bioassay on our own sources of seawater and against reference toxicants.. Feedback from customers and our own fortnightly production spawnings also have a valuable role in ensuring QA. We will continue to develop this service, and would be pleased to discuss customers' individual requirements. For further information please contact Penny Dravers via the enquiry form
REFERENCES
(1) THAIN J.E. (1991) Biological effects of
contaminants: the oyster (C. gigas) embryo bioassay In: Techniques in Mar.Env.
Sci., ICES
(2) MPMMG (compiled by H.L. REES) (1990),
Utility of experimental measures of biological effects for monitoring marine
sewage-sludge disposal sites Aquat. Environ. Monit. Rep. MAFF Direct. Fish.
Res. Lowestoft, 24, 45pp
(3) THOMPSON, R.S. (1997), Determination of
acute lethal toxicity to marine copepods. ISO TC147/SC5/WG2 ISO/DIS14669 draft
Version 5 May 1997
(4a) Toxicity Based Consents - Pilot
study.(1996) Wrc plc report for Environment Agency R&D Technical report P23
(4b)The application of toxicity based criteria for the regulatory control of
wastewater discharges. Consultation document issued by the Environment Agency
July 1996
(5) WRc /EA R&D Note 322