Noroviruses are the principal pathogen associated with shellfish-borne gastrointestinal illnesses following the consumption of shellfish from regulated production areas. It is taking a long time, too long, for scientists to develop an acceptable test method for determining infectious NoV levels in bivalve molluscan shellfish. Added to this, competing shellfish safety priorities through international emphasis on the risk management of Vibrios and marine biotoxins have pushed aside the development of international guidance for the risk management of shellfish production areas that are contaminated with NoV or are implicated in NoV illness outbreaks. A few countries have specific standards in place for the management of norovirus contaminated production areas whilst other countries manage such areas on an ad hoc basis which may provide an increased commercial trade advantage to the detriment of public health. This paper provides a brief overview of whether controlling authorities should place consumers at risk while the authority waits for a suitable norovirus detection method, describes current regulatory risk management practices for norovirus contaminated production areas and provides options for international guidance.