Health Protection staff monitor and advise on the safety of gathering shellfish / kaimoana.

• Shellfish such as oysters, mussels, pips and cockles are known as "Filter Feeders".
•  This means they can suck up any harmful bacteria, viruses, toxins and chemicals from the seawater which then build up in their flesh and guts.
• Anyone eating the contaminated shellfish may then become sick.
• So special care must always be taken when gathering shellfish.

                                                                                                                                      
Please download Safe shellfish flyer and shellfish collecting poster (pdf) to view further information.

For further information please contact:

Shellfish Programme Co-ordinator or On Call Health Protection Officer - 09 430 4100

Click here for -  Information on why shellfish may cause illness………

Shellfish sampling in progress