Paralytic Shellfish Poison is still being detected in the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel at levels nearly twice the safe levels set by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Recent sampling detected PSP toxins in shellfish at levels of up to 1.4mg/kg, nearly twice the safe limit set by MPI.

Shellfish in the red area likely to be affected by PSP. Photo: MPI.

Shellfish affected are in the zone from the mouth of the Otahu River at the southern end of Whangamata Beach, southwards along the Bay of Plenty coast to Rogers Road at Pukehina Beach, says a statement from MPI.

The area includes Tauranga Harbour, Maketu and Waihi estuaries, Matakana and Motiti Islands, and all other islands along this coastline.

Shellfish affected include mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, catseyes, kina (sea urchin) and all other bivalve shellfish. Cooking shellfish does not remove the toxin.

Paua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut.

If the gut is not removed its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.