Environmental Credentials The South Australian oyster industry in conjunction with the State government run the South Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (SASQAP), this water testing program meets the standards of the Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program, which is AQIS endorsed and based upon USFDA guidelines.
SASQAP was established as a joint initiative between Primary Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA) and the oyster industry of South Australia in 1994. The main aim of SASQAP has not changed over time and remains: "to provide public health protection for consumers of South Australian Shellfish and thus allow the development of a sustainable shellfish industry across the State."
SASQAP is managed from Port Lincoln SA, where it operates a NATA accredited laboratory performing all microbiological testing. Phytoplankton enumeration on water samples is also performed at the laboratory but other analytical services (biotoxin and chemical testing) are provided by other agencies on a fee for service basis. SASQAP currently has three full time staff and a part-tine administration and laboratory support person.
The program is funded 90% by industry and 10% by PIRSA Aquaculture.
It is a requirement that only farmed shellfish originating from SASQAP classified growing areas are sold for human consumption. There are currently 22 classified shellfish harvesting areas in South Australia, the majority of them are on Eyre Peninsula, with smaller areas on Yorke Peninsula and Kangaroo Isaland there are also some off-shore areas.
Additionally, SAOGA has also encoraged the implementation of individual grower based HACCP programs which are third party audited.
 SASQAP Information Pamphlet
EPA - South Australian Oyster Farmer Code of Practice
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