West coast shellfish given all-clear to eat

Tuatua and other shellfish are back on the menu on Northland's west coast after health officials lifted a ban on gathering them due to a toxin that can cause paralysis or even death.

Just in time for New Year celebrations, a ban on gathering shellfish from a large swathe of Northland's west coast has been lifted.

The gathering of shellfish - mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, catseyes, kina and all other bivalve shellfish - was banned from between Pouto to Mitimiti, North Hokianga, on the west coast earlier this month, due to the presence of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) found in samples taken from the area.

But yesterday Northland District Health Board's Public Health Unit said monitoring of shellfish samples from the Northland West Coast area between (and including) Mitimiti north of the Hokianga Harbour, to Pouto at the entrance to Kaipara Harbour has shown a reduction in the levels of toxin that can cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP).

Northland medical officer of health Juliet Rumball-Smith said the warning, issued on December 8, against taking shellfish from the Northland west coast area has now been lifted.

However, Dr Rumball-Smith said if in doubt about the safety of shellfish they have previously gathered from the above area, people should contact the DHB's Public Health Unit.

"Anyone who becomes ill after eating shellfish should consult their doctor," she said.

PSP occurs when certain micro-algae accumulate and release toxins in shellfish that have eaten them. He said micro-algae and associated marine toxins typically occurred more often on New Zealand's west coast.

But scientists are still unsure what conditions cause some algae to become toxic and not others. About two weeks after the affected algae cells die off the shellfish will also lose the toxins and become safe to eat again.

Symptoms of PSP include numbness around the mouth or extremities; difficulty swallowing or breathing; dizziness; double vision; nausea and vomiting.

The NDHB will continue to monitor the situation and advise of any changes. People with queries about shellfish safety should call Whangarei Hospital 09 4304100 and request the on call Health Protection Officer.

-Further information is also available at: www.foodsmart.govt.nz/food-safety/hunting-collecting-fishing/seafood-gatherers/