Public Warning: Marine Biotoxin in Shellfish, Bay of Islands.

Northland District Health Board's Health Protection Unit advises the public that high levels of a potentially toxic species of phytoplankton and diarrhetic shellfish poisoning biotoxin has recently been detected at Kerikeri Inlet in the Bay of Islands.

Accordingly, shellfish (and the gut of fish feeding on shellfish or phytoplankton) in the area may be contaminated with a marine biotoxin that can cause Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning; the symptoms of which are diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, and usually occur within 3-6 hours of eating shellfish.

The Health Protection Unit advise the public not to eat shellfish (or the gut of fish) collected from within the area enclosed by the line from Poraenui Pt to Kent Passage. (Kerikeri and Te Puna Inlets).

Anyone who becomes ill after eating shellfish from any area should consult their doctor.

Members of the public with queries about shellfish safety should call Whangarei Hospital on 09-430 4100, and ask for the on-call Health Protection Officer.


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For further information, please contact:

Paula Martin, Communications Officer
Northland District Health Board 

Phone (09) 430 4101 ext 3321