Shellfish warning issued for eastern Bay of Plenty due to toxins
Friday 12 December 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand Food Safety
NZ Food Safety has warned against collecting or consuming shellfish from the eastern Bay of Plenty, stretching from Opape to East Cape. Tests on mussels from Te Kaha revealed paralytic toxin levels more than double the safe limit. Pāua, crabs, and crayfish are only considered safe if all guts are removed before cooking.