Public health warning in New Zealand: Shellfish biotoxin warning for Marlborough

New Zealand Food Safety has issued a public health warning advising against the collection and consumption of shellfish from the inner Queen Charlotte Sound and nearby Collingwood in Golden Bay due to high levels of paralytic shellfish toxins. Routine tests have shown that mussels from the Waikawa area have toxin levels three times higher than the safe limit. The warning applies to bivalve shellfish such as mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, pūpū, Cook’s turban, and kina, and is in effect from Anakiwa to West Head and Dieffenbach Point. The public is reminded that cooking these shellfish does not remove the toxin. There is no impact on finfish. In response to this, commercial harvesting has ceased, and the public is warned of the potential for shellfish gathered from the shore to contain elevated toxin levels. The article also outlines symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning and provides contact information for health-related queries. The agency will continue monitoring the situation and maintaining strict safety measures for commercially harvested shellfish.