The recommendation was approved by an 11-2 vote, George Lockwood, chairman of the working group, told IntraFish on Thursday.
To be certified, growers must conduct a thorough hydraulic study of the growing area; agree to increased monitoring of coliforms by the grower, in addition to whatever government health officials do; undergo periodic testing of bivalve tissue for a group of 200 organic and metal contaminants, as is done with the US NOAA Mussel Watch Program; and use hatchery-produced seed, among others requirements, said Lockwood.
"These
