Shellfish Team Aces 2024 Risk Assessment and Risk Management Program Element Evaluation Report

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Service's (SCDES) Shellfish Sanitation Program Team recently aced the 2024 Risk Assessment and Risk Management Program Element Evaluation Report (PEER).

“The FDA has noted ‘no program deficiencies, no new or emerging concerns and made no recommendations,’” said Michael W. Tempel, Chief of SCDES’s Office of Law Enforcement. “Our Shellfish Program in South Carolina continues to maintain its excellence in making sure our state's shellfish product complies with all requirements for sale and interstate commerce. I am very proud of our team!”

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The evaluation was completed based on review of records and documents provided by our staff and in-field activities. You can check out the 2024 Risk Assessment and Risk Management PEER here.

“We thank you and your staff for your assistance and collaboration in completing this evaluation and for the excellent work documented in the PEER,” stated the FDA email. “We look forward to continuing our collaborative working relationship with you and your staff and truly appreciate your support of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program.”

Earlier this year, the team also passed two other FDA evaluations with “no program deficiencies, no new or emerging concerns and no recommendations:” the Plant Processing and Shipping Element PEER and the Growing Area Classification Element PEER.

Congratulations to our Shellfish Team! Their work is critical for overseeing the safe harvesting, transporting, and processing of oysters, clams and mussels in South Carolina, which helps prevent the potential for people to become ill by consuming shellfish.

About the Shellfish Sanitation Program
SCDES's Shellfish Sanitation Program Team focuses on three major responsibilities:

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• classification of the waters used for the growing and cultivating of molluscan shellfish,
• certification and inspection of facilities that process shellfish, and
• distribution of shellfish and the patrol of those areas that are determined to be unsuitable for the harvesting of shellfish.

The 10-officer team primarily operates in the state’s coastal counties but does conduct operations as needed throughout the state. 

Their responsibilities include patrolling of the state’s shellfish (oysters, mussels and clams) harvesting grounds as well as the inspection of shellfish processors and transporters.

Our officers also work closely with counterparts in the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and much of their work is performed outside of regular office hours. Learn more on our Shellfish Sanitation Program webpage.