The primary species are clams, quahogs, geoducks, oysters, scallops and mussels, with a market value of about $200 million annually, or about 130,000 tonnes of shellfish. More than a quarter — about $60 million worth — are from the aquaculture industry.

Assuring the safety of our food system should be a top priority of our government at all times, and not only in the wake of a disaster.