Shellfish ban along coastline ends

The shellfish ban along the coastline from Mount Maunganui to the Whakatane Heads has now been lifted. The health warning advising against the collection and consumption of shellfish was issued in May.

Medical officer of Health Nigel de Wet said shellfish monitoring and sampling indicated the levels of shellfish toxin were now within safe limits for all of the Bay of Plenty coastline. Although paralytic shellfish toxin is now not a concern, people still needed to be cautious when deciding where to gather shellfish and when preparing shellfish to eat, he said.

"It is generally not advisable to collect and eat shellfish from beaches and harbours next to built-up urban areas or near storm water pipes as these are at more risk of being contaminated by viruses and bacteria."