Do not collect or eat shellfish from areas where shellfish biotoxin warnings have been issued. All warnings for New Zealand are on this page.
Any warning on this page is current. We review the warnings on this page every week following our routine water and shellfish sampling. Warnings can sometimes last several months.
If you have questions, email info@mpi.govt.nz
No warnings are in place.
Every week, we test shellfish and seawater for toxic algae and biotoxins from popular shellfish gathering areas around New Zealand. If the results show that the shellfish are not safe to eat, we issue public health warnings and put up signs at affected beaches.
Subscribe to email updates about shellfish biotoxin warnings
If someone gets sick after eating shellfish, make sure you:
Find your nearest public health service – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
The warnings on this page are only for recreational shellfish that people can collect themselves. The warnings do not apply to shellfish that you can buy from shops or supermarkets, or shellfish for export.
We have strict monitoring and testing programmes for commercial shellfish to ensure they are safe to eat. If commercial shellfish become toxic, the shellfish cannot be harvested or sold, and the growing areas are closed.
Food safety for seafood gatherers booklet [PDF, 1.2 MB]
Collecting shellfish in New Zealand [PDF, 3.2 MB]
Toxic shellfish poisoning types and symptoms
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