1. (1) Start-up phase sampling procedures – When shellfish are delivered to the facility, the following schedule shall be followed:

   1. (a) One or more shellfish samples (12 or more shellfish per sample) shall be collected for bacterial examination before the shellfish are submitted to the treatment process.
   2. (b) Three or more shellfish samples (12 or more shellfish per sample), randomly selected from 3 or more locations in each tank, shall be collected for bacterial examination after 24 hours of depuration.
   3. (c) Three or more shellfish samples (12 or more shellfish per sample), randomly selected from 3 or more locations in each tank, shall be collected for bacterial examination after the shellfish have completed the treatment process.

2. (2) Routine Sampling Procedures.

   1. (a) Start-up phase sampling procedures shall be followed until such time as the Department and the facility supervisor, after review of start-up phase results, determine that the shellfish are responding properly to the treatment process, and that the treatment process is successfully reducing bacterial levels in the shellfish and providing process water quality pursuant to subsection 5L-1.017(1), F.A.C. After such a determination, the routine sampling procedures shall be followed. Written permission from the Department shall be obtained before the initiation of the following routine monitoring procedures:

      1. One or more shellfish samples (12 or more shellfish per sample) shall be collected for bacterial examination before the shellfish are submitted to the treatment process.

      2. Three or more shellfish samples (12 or more shellfish per sample), randomly selected from each lot, shall be collected for bacterial examination after 24 hours of depuration.

      3. Three or more shellfish samples (12 or more shellfish per sample), randomly selected from each lot, shall be collected for bacterial examination after 48 hours of depuration.

   2. (b) In the event of the installation of a new laboratory, new laboratory equipment, employment of new laboratory personnel, initiation of new laboratory procedures, or the alteration of treatment procedures, the Department may require reinitiation of start-up phase sampling procedures until such time as the Department and the facility supervisor, after review of the results, determine that the laboratory and treatment procedures are providing valid results. Written permission from the Department shall be obtained before routine monitoring procedures are again followed.

Rulemaking Authority 597.020 FS. Law Implemented 597.020 FS. History–New 1-4-87, Amended 8-10-88, Formerly 16R-7.022, Formerly 62R-7.022, 3-23-17.