White Beach on the Tasman Peninsula has become the latest spot to be added to Tasmania’s list of areas with active shellfish health warnings.
Health authorities have detected elevated levels of algal toxins in wild shellfish collected near Nubeena.
It joins several other locations across the state where recreational shellfish harvesting is banned due to harmful algal blooms.
Existing warnings remain in place for Adventure Bay on Bruny Island, Pipe Clay Lagoon, the Mercury Passage including Spring Bay and Prosser Bay and Boomer Bay near Dunalley.
All wild shellfish are affected, including mussels, oysters, clams, pipis, cockles, wedge shells, abalone and scallop roe. Rock lobster intestines and livers can also contain toxins.
“Symptoms can occur within minutes to hours after eating shellfish. Cooking or freezing shellfish does not destroy the toxins that cause shellfish poisoning,” the Department of Health says.
Symptoms can include tingling, numbness, weakness, blurred vision, difficulty breathing, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Warnings for the other locations have been in place since as early as May, with Boomer Bay first flagged on May 8.
Health authorities stress that commercially sold seafood remains safe, as it is continuously monitored.
