Kenepuru Sounds shellfish safe

The level of toxin in lower Kenepuru Sounds is low enough for shellfish to be safely eaten, health officials say.

Much of the Kenepuru Sounds remains closed by a biotoxin affecting blue and green mussels, but the area is reducing.

The Nelson Marlborough District Health Board public health unit reduced the closed area on Friday, allowing for shellfish collection from the lower Kenepuru, in the Marlborough Sounds.

Senior health protection officer Al Campbell said the level of toxin in that area was now low enough that shellfish could be safely consumed.

The Waitaria Bay area and the upper part of the Kenepuru Sound beyond Portage will remain closed until further notice for the gathering of blue and green mussels.

Oysters and cockles sampled throughout the entire affected area had shown no sign of contamination, Mr Campbell said.