17:19:08 Friday 22 August 2025

Shellfish warning remains for Bay

Two more cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning were reported during the Christmas and New Year break bringing the total number of cases in the Bay of Plenty to 29 since mid-December.

The shellfish warning for the Auckland region was lifted yesterday following results from the Kaipara Harbour that show toxic levels are at non-detectable levels.


Two more people were reported suffering from paralytic shellfish toxin poisoning during Christmas and New Years.

BOPDHB medical officer of health Dr Jim Miller says despite the warning being lifted on the west coast, shellfish along the Bay of Plenty coastline remain toxic and should still be avoided.

'Please look out for the signs and don't collect or eat shellfish from the affected areas.

'Paralytic shellfish poisoning can be a very serious illness, it can even be fatal.”

In the lead-up to Christmas, Tauranga Hospital tended to multiple cases of the poisoning, with some patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

Jim is strongly advising against the collection of shellfish from Tairua on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, south to Waihi Beach and along the Bay of Plenty coast to Whakatane Heads in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

The warning also includes Tairua Harbour as well as Tauranga Harbour, Maketu and Waihi estuaries, Matakana and Motiti Islands, and all other islands along this coastline.

The health warning applies to all bi-valve shellfish including mussels, pipi, tuatua, cockles, oysters, scallops as well as cat's eyes, snails and kina (sea urchin).

Shellfish in the affected area should not be taken or eaten, and cooking or freezing the shellfish does not remove the toxin – which comes from the algae shellfish feed on in the ocean.

Algae levels are extremely high in the Bay at present so shellfish toxin is also at elevated levels, says Jim.

'If you do want shellfish this summer, visit your supermarket or seafood retailer as commercially supplied shellfish are safe to eat.”

Paua, crayfish and crabs can still be taken but the gut should be removed before consuming.

Consumption of shellfish affected by the paralytic shellfish toxin can cause numbness and tingling around the mouth, face, hands and feet, as well as difficulty swallowing or breathing, dizziness, double vision, and in severe cases – paralysis and respiratory failure. These symptoms can start as early as one or two hours after eating toxic shellfish, but usually within 12 hours.

Anyone suffering illness after eating shellfish should seek urgent medical attention.

1 comment

Makes you wonder???

Posted on 18-01-2013 09:30 | By Sambo

Where the shell fish was sourced from for last weeks "Seafood Festival".


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