Do not collect or eat shellfish from areas where shellfish biotoxin warnings have been issued. All warnings for New Zealand are on this page.
We review the warnings on this page every week following our routine water and shellfish sampling. Any warning on this page is still valid. Warnings can sometimes last several months.
If you have questions, email info@mpi.govt.nz
No warnings are in place.
We test shellfish and seawater for toxic algae every week from popular shellfish gathering areas around New Zealand. If 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 unit – Ministry of Health
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 water and flesh monitoring programmes for commercial shellfish to ensure it's 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, 1.4 MB]
Toxic shellfish poisoning types and symptoms
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