A method of depurating shellfish, by taking decontaminated seawater, uncontaminated seawater, brackish water or water with sufficient salinity to support shellfish, holding the shellfish and the water in a container (21), lagoon or other body of water separate from the sea, and allowing the shellfish to feed, for a sufficient time for the any viruses and bacteria to be expelled or deactivated. Shellfish feed in the form of active or inactive phytoplankton or other substance on which shellfish may feed may be added to the water.
