The aim of the Shellfish Waters Directive is to protect or improve shellfish waters in order to support shellfish life and growth. It is designed to protect the aquatic habitat of bivalve and gastropod molluscs, which include oysters, mussels, cockles, scallops and clams. The Directive requires Member States to designate waters that need protection in order to support shellfish life and growth. The Directive sets physical, chemical and microbiological requirements that designated shellfish waters must either comply with or endeavour to improve. The Directive also provides for the establishment of pollution reduction programmes for the designated waters. This dataset is the designated areas in Ireland as of December 2008.