It has come to my attention that an administrative error in entering the Jellett Rapid Test for PSP in Table 4. Type III and Type IV Marine Biotoxin Test Method of the Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish 2003; Guidance Documents Chapter II. Growing Areas .10 Approved National Shellfish Sanitation Program Laboratory Tests: Microbiological and Biotoxin Analytical Methods has caused some misunderstandings regarding the status of the Jellett Rapid Test for PSP in the NSSP.

Following its acceptance as a screening method by the ISSC at the 2003 Conference, the Jellett Rapid Test for PSP should have been entered in Table 4 as a Type IV Method for PSP Screening with certain restrictions. I have compiled the information in the paragraph below.

The Conference and the subsequent review and acceptance procedure recommended adoption of the Jellett Rapid Method for PSP as a Type IV method with the following restrictions: 

i.                     Method can be used to determine when to perform a mouse bioassay in a previously closed area.

ii.                   A negative result can be substituted for a mouse bioassay to maintain an area in the open status.

iii.                  A positive result can be used for a precautionary closure; When employing only the Jellett rapid PSP test to screen for saxitoxins, the Shellfish Authority shall make precautionary closures when positive results occur.

iv.                 Use of the Jellett PSP test must be based on the currently approved procedure for PSP toxin extraction. No other extraction procedures have been validated and approved for use under the NSSP, including those provided by Jellett Rapid Testing Ltd.

Proposal Number: 03-116:  Insert Type IV under other for Growing Area Survey & Classification, shellfish with the following footnote: The Jellett Rapid Test for PSP.