A public health alert has been issued for wild shellfish from Tasmania’s East Coast and Huon regions due to toxic algal blooms.
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The warning covers wild shellfish from Binalong Bay, Moulting and Georges Bay near St Helens, Great Oyster Bay, Mercury Passage on the East Coast and the Huon region in the state’s south.
Algal toxins have been detected in shellfish from these areas so should not be eaten because the toxins are harmful to humans, the alert said.
“Shellfish in other parts of the extensive coastline, in areas not subject to regular testing, may potentially be affected. It is therefore safest not to collect or eat wild shellfish from any part of the east or southern coast.”
Wild shellfish include oysters, mussels, clams, pipis, cockles, wedge shells, abalone, scallop roes and rock lobster intestines and livers.
Commercially grown shellfish sold in shops and restaurants is safe to eat as it has been monitored by the Tasmanian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program.