The pristine waters of the Northern Periphery (NP) coastal zone provide an ideal environment for shellfish aquaculture, a low environmental impact industry which has expanded across Europe considerably over the past years, providing employment in remote coastal regions. Its development has however been hampered by episodic contamination of product with naturally occurring biotoxins derived from phytoplankton that are harmful to human health. Monitoring of the environment for potentially harmful phytoplankton and their biotoxins in shellfish is a requirement in EU member states. Time delays in achieving results, however, cause unnecessary losses to industry, particularly in peripheral regions. This project focuses on the provision of new methodologies that will provide a) rapid, on site analysis for the presence of toxins in shellfish and b) the application of simple procedures whereby harmful phytoplankton events can be predicted.These techniques are highly suited to peripheral regions. A sustainable service will be put in place providing these methods for industry, thereby facilitating the development of aquaculture throughout the region as forewarning of harmful events is an essential element to further the development of the shellfish aquaculture industry. Achievements: During 2009, training courses have been held in Torshavn (Faroe), Floedevigen (Norway), Scalloway (Shetland) and Galway (2009). Joint field studies to assist in the prediction of harmful algal blooms took place in Shetland Islands coastal waters in August 2009. All activities have been reported on the project website at www.nppwater.comProducts and services:Title: Training Courses for the analysis of biotoxins in shellfish A 2-days training course on how to determine levels of algal biotoxins in shellfish (diarrheic shellfish poisoning, amnesic shellfish poisoning and paralytic shellfish poisoning) using commercially available analytical kits in shellfish covering sampling of shellfish and extraction of toxin from the flesh, toxin analysis, and interpretation of results for local and regional laboratories.More information see: http://nppoutcomes.eu/Title: Rapid analysis of biotoxins in shellfish A local service for the rapid analysis of biotoxins (diarrheic shellfish poisoning toxins, amnesic shellfish poisoning toxins, paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins) in shellfish using PP2A technique and immunoassay for the shellfish production industry.More information see: http://nppoutcomes.eu/Title: Prediction of Harmful Algal Blooms Refined existing models for the prediction of the onset of contamination of shellfish with toxins produced by plankton. Wind-driven models are now available for Bantry Bay (Ireland), Loch Fyne (Scotland) and Busta Voe (Shetland). Cyst density models are currently available for Shetland Voes (Shetland) and Cork Harbour (Ireland).More information see: http://nppoutcomes.eu/