| Summary: | The microbiological quality of the marine environment affects the microbiological quality of all fishery products. This study is a review of the occurence of enteric bacteria in freshly harvested fishery products dependent on the quality of marine environment from which these products are harvested. The control of marine environment from pollution as measured by the index of fecal coliform bacteria is necessary. Otherwise, our fishery products can be contaminated from the polluted marine environment. Environmental factors are predominant for the quality of seafoods.These factors consist of human and animal sources of enteric bacteria in the marine environment. Enteric bacteria in polluted marine environment can contaminate migratory fish species, mobile fish species as well as sedentary shellfish. Molluscs such as oysters, mussels, cockles, and clams filter and concentrate environmental microorganisms in high numbers in their tissues. These microorganisms may be active when the molluscs are eaten raw. Some enteric pathogenic bacteria can be found in polluted marine environment are Clostridium spp. such as C. perfringens, C. botulinum, Salmonella spp. such as Salmonella typhi, Shigella spp., Vibrio spp. such as V. parahaemolyticus, Vibrio chlorea, Escherichia spp. such as E. coli. These pathogens can also be found in live fish and shellfish. Furthermore, the microorganisms found on seafood may cause various illnesses and death as well. The safety of various seafood products varies according to the origin of the fish, microbiological ecology of the product, handling and processing practices and traditional preparations before consumption. Marine environment must be protected from the pollution to limit disease outbreaks of enteric pathogenic bacteria.
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