Home 24-7 Public health warning about shellfish in West Coast, South Island

Public health warning about shellfish in West Coast, South Island

January 27, 2022

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) today issued a public health warning against collecting shellfish from the South Island West Coast between Greymouth and Charleston. Diarrhetic shellfish toxins have been detected in mussels from 12-Mile Bluff at levels above the safe limit set by MPI.

Anyone eating shellfish from this area is potentially at risk of illness.

See a map of the warning

Ongoing testing will continue and any changes will be communicated accordingly.

Mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, catseyes, kina (sea urchin) and all other bivalve shellfish should not be eaten.

Note, cooking shellfish does not remove the toxin.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

Symptoms typically appear within half an hour of ingestion and last for about 24 hours. Symptoms may include:

diarrhoea
vomiting
nausea
abdominal cramps

If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued, freephone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately. You are also advised to contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.

Commercially harvested shellfish – sold in shops and supermarkets, or exported – is subject to strict water and flesh monitoring programmes by MPI to ensure they are safe to eat. There is no commercial harvesting of shellfish in the affected area.