An organism never before found in New Zealand is to blame for the ban on gathering shellfish, kina, crab and crayfish on the west coast of the North Island.
The organism, Gymnodinium catenatum, is usually found only in the North Pacific and Tasmania and is a "known problem organism," says Northland Health's shellfish coordinator, Tony Beauchamp.
It was likely the organism had arrived on the coast early last month.
Mr Beauchamp said the organism could cause paralytic shellfish poisoning, especially among children or small people.
"It works on a dose-weight ratio so smaller people are more susceptible at the levels we are finding," he said.
Testing of coastal areas had found enough evidence of the organism to warrant the closure of much of the North Island's west coast to the gathering of shellfish, kina, crab and crayfish.
It was first discovered in the Manukau Harbour, which was closed last month. This was followed the next week by the closure of the coastline south of the Manukau Harbour to the Mokau River, in North Taranaki, and the Northland coast on June 23.
Mr Beauchamp said the boundaries had been extended and now covered Waipapakauri in Northland to Oakura, west of New Plymouth.
The organism could have spread even further afield because it was not possible to test the entire coast.
Health officials were trying to get a better idea of the spread of toxins through different species, some of which were showing significant amounts.
- NZPA
Shellfish hit by foreign poison
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