Interval Between Relaying and Harvesting Molluscan Shellstock

Interval Between Relaying and Harvesting Molluscan Shellstock A. There must be a sufficient time interval to allow natural biological cleansing of the shellfish between the time the permittee is permitted to take the shellfish from the restricted area(s), and the time they are then allowed to harvest these shellfish or any other shellfish from their leased area, during which time neither activity is allowed. B. During this time interval, the permittee nor any other person or entity is allowed to harvest the relayed shellfish. C. This period must be at least fourteen (14) consecutive days, except if the area relayed to fails to meet growing water management plan criteria during any of those 14 consecutive days. D. If, during the 14 consecutive days, the area fails to meet the management plan as specified, harvesting will not be allowed until the area has once again met these conditions for 14 consecutive days, or until shorter periods of time are demonstrated to be adequate to permit natural biological cleansing to occur. E. The period of time to allow natural biological cleansing must be deemed sufficient and adequate if the bacteriological quality of the shellfish after relaying are of the same quality as the same species already in the approved or conditionally approved relay area; or if shellfish tissue are sampled for verification, the results must be less than a fecal coliform MPN of 230 per 100 grams of meat, provided that no evidence exists that the shellfish prior to relaying contained substances that equal or exceed the action levels, tolerances, and other established levels for poisonous or deleterious substances in seafood.