Don't eat shellfish from affected area

Areas between the Whareongaonga and the Mohaka River are still showing levels of toxic bloom.

People are still being advised not to eat shellfish from between Whareongaonga and Mohaka River because of dangerous toxins.

The Hawke's Bay District Health Board said yesterday that shellfish were still holding onto the Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxin at levels which could cause serious illness.

It has been more than a month since sampled shellfish were found to have a PSP Toxin level of 1.2 mg per kg of shellfish flesh; .4mg over the safe limit. This was revalidated on June 16.

Jonathan Dick, director of environment and natural resources for Ngati Kahungunu, said the latest "toxic bloom" had affected people north of the Waikere Bluff, who had been unable to gather kaimoana.

Mahia kaitiaki, Morehu Cooper, said recent rough weather had kept people away from the coast, but this would change at the end of the week. "It's the school holidays, so that's when everyone comes back and wants go out and get seafood," he said.

The district health board said that kina, mussels, toheroa, pipi, tuatua, oysters, and cockles in the affected area should not be eaten, while paua, crab, and crayfish may be eaten if the gut has been completely removed before cooking. Cooking affected shellfish does not remove the toxin. Snapper, gurnard, and tarakihi are not affected by the algae and are still safe to eat.

If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish they should contact a doctor immediately and also advise the health board's Public Health Unit on (06) 878 1329. Symptoms can include: Numbness, difficulty swallowing, or breathing, headache, dizziness and double vision. Severe cases may suffer respiratory arrest resulting in death if medical treatment is not immediately available.