Bonamiosis in Lough Foyle

Bonamia ostreae was detected during routine sampling in Lough Foyle in the spring of 2005.  All movements of shellfish out of the Lough were immediately suspended by both the UK and Irish authorities and an epidemiological investigation initiated.  Lough Foyle lost its approved zone status for Bonamiosis under Commission Decision 2005/748/EC.  Legislation has been introduced by both the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR) and DARD to implement the provisions of this Commission Decision.

The Irish and UK authorities took a dual approach to notification, statutory control and epizootic investigation in this instance and the report on the epizootic investigation, carried out by DCMNR, the Marine Institute, DARD and AFBI with support from the Loughs Agency, as required by Article 5 of Directive 95/70/EC can be downloaded by clicking on the link below