Beachgoers in the Bay of Plenty
have been warned not to collect shellfish from the shoreline as oil and debris
from the Rena wreck continue to wash up on the coast.
Health Waikato
has extended shellfish toxin warnings to include the entire coastline from
Tairua in the Coromandel east to Whakatane Heads, as well as Matakana and
Motiti islands.
Medical Officer of Health Felicity Dumble
said paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) had been an ongoing problem on the
coast that was being exacerbated by oil and debris washing ashore from the
broken Rena, stuck on Tauranga's Astrolabe Reef.
Tests in recent days have shown the toxin
was present at several places along the coast.
"Obviously with everything coming
ashore people should be using commonsense anyway and thinking twice about what
they collect," Dr Dumble said.
The health warning applies to all bi-valve
shellfish including mussels, pipi, tuatua, cockles, oysters, scallops as well
as catseyes and kina.
Paua, crayfish and crabs can still be
taken but the gut should be removed before cooking, Dr Dumble said.
The toxin caused numbness, dizziness,
difficulty swallowing, double vision and, in severe cases, paralysis and
respiratory failure.
People suspected of poisoning should seek
urgent medical attention.
NZN