Health warnings against gathering and eating shellfish in the Bay of Plenty are lifted after being in place for 15 months.

Shellfish can be collected along the coast from Tairua on the Coromandel coast to Rogers Road, Pukehina and also at Whiritoa, Whangamata, Onemana, and Tauranga harbour.

Mmmm, shellfish can be gathered and eaten in the Bay of Plenty.

Public Health medical officer of health Dr Jim Miller says test results shows levels of shellfish toxin are now within safe limits for the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty coastline.

'We know the shellfish warning has been an inconvenience, especially over the past two summer holiday periods, and we would like to thank the public for their endurance and cooperation,” says Jim.

He says people should continue to exercise caution when preparing them as non-commercial shellfish collected from the sea and harbours are a high risk food.

This is because they tend to accumulate and concentrate in their flesh any contaminants found in the water, says Jim.

Bivalves, those with two shells, filter food from seawater and can accumulate viruses and bacteria from sewage overflows and farm run-off, toxins from naturally occurring algae, and chemical contaminants such as heavy metals from urban storm water run-off.

Bacteria and viruses won't be killed when shellfish are eaten raw or lightly cooked.

'The most effective way to ensure you don't get sick from eating shellfish is to buy them from the shop or collect them from areas where the seawater is clean and less likely to be contaminated in any way,” says Jim.

It is generally not advisable to collect and eat shellfish from beaches and harbours next to built up urban areas. Proper handling, storage and cooking can further lower the risk of illness. For more information on preparing them, visit www.nzfsa.govt.nz