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. 漁港における港内海水の大腸菌および大腸菌群の分布に，漁港の形状が与える影響について検討した。北海道内の 36 漁港において全ての漁港内海水から大腸菌群が，30 漁港から大腸菌が分離され，河川が付近にある漁港では特に高い値を示す傾向がみられた。漁港内で分離される大腸菌および大腸菌群は河川水の流入と関係があることが示された。漁港の入り口と河川の位置との関係を中心に 3 漁港を調べたところ，漁港の入り口が河川のある方向を向いている場合に，分離菌数が多くなる傾向が明らかとなった