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National | Bay of Plenty

Algae bloom warning issued on shellfish in Bay of Plenty

Algae bloom levels are at an all-time high as Government officials worry someone may fall seriously ill by contaminated shellfish.

A health warning against gathering shellfish in the Bay of Plenty has been put in place by the Ministry of Primary Industries, but that hasn't stopped keen members of the public eating their favourite delicacies.

The Ministry of Primary Industries has issued warnings on the collection of shellfish on the coastal areas between the Coromandel to Tauranga and stretching out to Whakatāne.  That's the entire region of the Bay of Plenty.

Quinton Bidois is an avid diver and he says they have been eating shellfish on a daily basis over the past week, his daughter Te Ahikaa being a huge fan of it.

The Ministry of Primary Industries will continue to test water and shellfish from around the country and it is hoped that this toxin can be expelled from NZ waters as soon as possible.