Toxic mussels at Marlborough’s Port Underwood, people warned not to eat any shellfish

The Ministry for Primary Industries is warning people not to eat any shellfish from a Marlborough harbour after routine testing found unsafe levels of paralytic toxins.

New Zealand Food Safety has issued the warning after paralytic toxins were found in mussels during a planned check at Port Underwood, a harbour in the Marlborough Sounds.

The warning extends from north of Robin Hood Bay to Robertson Point and includes the entire Port Underwood harbour area.

A warning was also issued earlier today for the Eastern Bay of Plenty region, which extended from Ōpape to Matakaoa Point.

Deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said affected shellfish include mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, pūpū and Cook’s turban.

“It’s important to know that cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, so shellfish from this area should not be eaten.

“Please do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so could get sick.”

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually appear within 10 minutes to three hours of eating and may include:

• numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, hands and feet 
• difficulty swallowing or breathing 
• dizziness and headache 
• nausea and vomiting 
• diarrhoea 

It can lead to paralysis, respiratory failure and in extreme cases, death.

Arbuckle said kina and finfish were not affected, but people have been advised to gut the fish and discard the liver before cooking.

Anyone with the above symptoms is asked to phone Healthline for advice on 0800 611 116 or seek medical attention immediately. People are also advised to contact their nearest general practice and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.

New Zealand Food Safety has so far not had any reported cases of associated sickness.