$250,000 grant for research on toxic sea slugs

Health warning signs have appeared on beaches again after the latest discovery at Kohimarama. Photo / Greg Bowker

The Government will pay for research into toxic sea slugs blamed for the deaths of two dogs on North Shore beaches last winter.

The slugs, which contain the tetrodotoxin poison also found in puffer fish, were discovered for the first time on an Auckland City beach last week.

Research, Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp yesterday announced $250,000 funding over two years to research the toxic slugs and determine if taking seafood from the Hauraki Gulf has any risks.

"They are already a danger to people and their pets. We need to know whether they are a wider threat to seafood."

The project will be the first research into tetrodotoxin since its discovery on North Shore beaches last year.

Nelson's Cawthron Institute will collaborate with the Hauraki Maori Trust Board in the research, to be funded through Nga pae o te Maramatanga, which facilitates projects deemed important to Maori.

Toxic slugs have been found this winter near Long Bay, Browns Bay, Narrow Neck Beach, Cheltenham, and Bayswater on the North Shore.

Last week they also appeared on Kohimarama Beach - the first time they have been found on an Auckland City beach on the south side of the Waitemata Harbour.

- NZPA