Warning issued against eating toxic East Coast shellfish

PUBLIC health authorities have issued a reminder about the danger of eating wild shellfish from Tasmania’s East Coast.

Business Spring Bay Seafoods Triabunna managing director Phillip Lamb with the first Tasmanian scallops of the season

PUBLIC health authorities have issued a reminder about the danger of eating wild shellfish from Tasmania’s East Coast.

Shellfish sold in shops remains safe to eat because Tasmania’s commercial shellfish industry is closely monitored to ensure the product was fit to consume.

Acting Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch said people risked being poisoned if they ate wild harvested shellfish from the entire East Coast region.

“Four people have now experienced brief but unpleasant illness from paralytic shellfish poisoning after eating wild harvested shellfish from Tasmania’s East Coast,” Dr Veitch said.

“An extensive area of the East Coast has been affected by naturally occurring algal blooms, with high levels of Alexandrium tamarense algae in the water and toxins in shellfish.

“The large scale of this algal bloom and the high levels of toxin in tested shellfish mean the risk of serious paralytic shellfish poisoning from eating shellfish collected from the wild is very real.”

Dr Vietch said people should not collect or eat wild oysters, mussels, clams, pipis, periwinkles, scallops, abalone or the gut and organs of rock lobster or crab from anywhere along the East Coast.

Cooking the shellfish does not destroy the toxins.

Dr Veitch said collecting and eating wild shellfish always carried some risk.

He warned it was always unsafe to eat wild shellfish from:

● marinas or other areas potentially subject to boat discharges

● areas near outfalls from sewerage, septic tanks, stormwater or industrial sites

● areas affected by recent heavy rainfall

● areas affected by toxic algal blooms

● the Derwent and Tamar estuaries.

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning included tingling and pins and needles around the mouth and face, hands, arms and feet, unsteadiness and weakness, blurred vision and difficulty talking, swallowing or breathing.

“If you have these symptoms after eating wild shellfish from, or near, the affected areas please get immediate medical attention.”

For more information call the Public Health Hotline – Tasmania on 1800 671 738 or visit www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/