Toxic shellfish ban continues

High levels of poison have been measured in shellfish in the Papamoa area, as the ban on collecting or eating toxic shellfish from Bay of Plenty shores continues.

Twelve people were reported to Toi Te Ora Public Health Service with paralytic shellfish poisoning during the first two weeks of December but luckily no more since then, Medical Officer of Health Dr Jim Miller said.

"There's really quite high levels of shellfish poison in the tests coming back ... So although we've been lucky that we haven't had any more cases, the health warning remains."

Recent tests from the middle of the coastline in the Papamoa area had come back with high levels of poison, he said.

He hoped Bay locals would let visitors know about the warning.

" ... it would be good if locals make a point of letting visitors know that the shellfish aren't safe to collect and eat ... "

There were signs along the coastline but they could be missed due to the large area, which was extended on December 19.

The extended affected area now included the entire coastline from Whakatane Heads in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, north to Waihi Beach and up the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula to the river at the southern end of Whangamata Beach.