Distribution of coliforms and Escherichia coli at fishing ports

Abstract

  To control the hygienic conditions of fishery products from catching to landing and processing, both qualitative and quantitative bacterial observations at fishing ports must be considered. Thirty-six fishing ports in Hokkaido, northern Japan, were selected and the distributions of coliform bacteria were studied at these sites. Coliforms were observed from all fishing ports, and Escherichia coli were observed from 30 fishing ports. Especially, in relation to the number of coliform bacteria and E. coli, fishing ports which are located near a river show higher levels than any other fishing ports.