Oysters in Chichester Harbour

Oysters have been harvested in Chichester Harbour for centuries, peaking in the 1900's. Currently the oysters in the harbour offer a high quality, high value product.

Since 1993 Chichester and Havant Councils have operated a programme for monitoring, classifying and reviewing the shellfish harvesting areas in Chichester Harbour, for public health reasons.

As part of this programme, we also monitor for bio-toxins which arise from naturally occurring algae in the sea. If contaminated shellfish are eaten, then this may make people ill, for more information see algal toxins surveillance.

Sampling result information

From the sampling results, each bed is classified, (see Classification). To manage any food safety issues arising from the sampling of the oysters in Chichester Harbour, the councils has an 'action plan', which identifies the action to be taken, under what circumstances, and who to contact.

Anyone can be part of the action plan and people who have an interest in the Harbour were invited to join. If you would like to be included in the Action Plan please contact this department and your details will be added. 

For local and UK bed results see Offsite links.

Harvesting Oysters

It is illegal to collect shellfish to sell without having registration forms. In some areas small quantities of shellfish can be gathered for your own use but they must be cooked well to be safe.

If you commercially harvest shellfish these must be taken from classified harvesting areas and each batch accompanied by a shellfish registration document. If you collect whelks these must also have a registration document which goes to the processor or dispatch centre showing where the whelks came from.

For more details contact Health Protection Team.