Manukau Harbour shellfish warning

People are being warned not to collect or eat shellfish from Manukau Harbour and Muriwai Beach after tests showed levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning in samples taken from the area.

Anyone eating the shellfish is at risk of suffering dizziness, double vision and, in severe cases, paralysis and respiratory failure.

Kina, mussels, toheroa, pipi, oysters and cockles in the affected areas should not be eaten at all. The Auckland District Health Board says cooking the shellfish will not remove the toxin.

Paua, crab and crayfish can be eaten if the gut is completely removed before cooking.