Shellfish biotoxin alerts

All warnings are up-to-date

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

Current warnings

South Island warnings – Canterbury

Reason for alert	A bloom at the head of Port Levy has extremely high numbers of paralytic shellfish toxin producing algae. Check the symptoms of PSP
Date warning issued	13/03/26
Affected area	The warning extends from New Brighton to the northern side of Hickory Bay. As the weather changes, this bloom could spread wider
Shellfish affected	Affected shellfish include bivalve shellfish such as mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles and scallops, as well as pūpū (cat’s eyes) and Cook’s turban. Note, cooking shellfish does NOT remove the toxin. Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process. Finfish are not affected by this warning.
Symptoms	Symptoms typically appear between 10 minutes and 3 hours after ingestion and may include: numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, and extremities (hands and feet) difficulty swallowing or breathing dizziness headache nausea vomiting diarrhoea paralysis and respiratory failure and in severe cases, death.
Other information	Ongoing testing will continue and any changes will be communicated accordingly.

Map of the affected area

Public warnings about toxic shellfish

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.

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If you get sick after eating shellfish

If someone gets sick after eating shellfish, make sure you:

phone Healthline for advice on 0800 611 116, or get medical help immediately
advise your nearest public health unit
keep any leftover shellfish so it can be tested.

Find your nearest public health service – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

Safety of commercially sold shellfish

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.