High levels of paralytic shellfish toxins found in Queen Charlotte Sound and Golden Bay in New Zealand

People are being warned not to collect or eat shellfish from Queen Charlotte Sound or part of Golden Bay after high levels of paralytic shellfish toxins were detected. New Zealand Food Safety said routine tests on mussels from near Waikawa have shown levels of paralytic shellfish toxins that were three times higher than the safe limit. The warning extends from Anakiwa, out to West head and Dieffenbach Point. Toxin levels in mussels near Collingwood in Golden Bay have also risen in recent weeks and are nearly exceeding the safe limit, so should not be consumed. Commercial harvesting has stopped at mussel farms near Collingwood - with the public warned shellfish gathered from the shore could also have elevated levels of toxins. NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles and scallops, as well as pūpū (cat's eyes), Cook's turban and kina should not be consumed. "Cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, so shellfish from ...