Shellfish biotoxin warnings lifted on entire coastline

Biotoxin scare is over as government agency deems shellfish collection safe once more. Photo / File

People are once more able to gather shellfish from anywhere along the country's coastline without risk of becoming ill.

The Ministry for Primary Industries today lifted all biotoxin warnings for Northland's west coast and the Bay of Plenty.

There are now no warnings in place anywhere in New Zealand.

Good news! We've removed the shellfish biotoxin warnings for the Northland west coast & Bay of Plenty. Recent sampling has shown that shellfish are now safe to eat. There are now no warnings in place in NZ. Warning signs will be taken down over the coming days. pic.twitter.com/ghFTCURTwY

— Ministry for Primary Industries (@MPI_NZ) January 7, 2018

The ministry said recent water and shellfish sampling for algae and their toxins showed that shellfish were now safe to eat.

Signs warning against gathering the shellfish would be taken down in coming days.