Current Wild Shellfish Public Health Alerts
Check the current wild shellfish
public health alerts on the Tasmanian Department of Health website.
Standing Public Health Alert - Eating wild shellfish
To read the standing Public Health alert about collecting and eating wild shellfish around Tasmania, please refer to the Tasmanian Department of Health website. Other alerts covering particular areas may be issued periodically.
Wild shellfish include: oysters, mussels, clams, pipis, cockles and wedge shells. Abalone, scallop roe and the intestines and livers (tomalley) of rock lobster can also be affected when toxic algal blooms are present.
If you think you have Paralytic Shellfish Toxin (PST) illness after eating shellfish, seek immediate medical advice or ring the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 (select the communicable disease option).
See Department of Health information about
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning.
Biotoxin zones and boundary maps
Do toxic algal blooms affect fisheries?
Some species of naturally occurring algae that produce toxins have been present in eastern and southern Tasmanian waters over the past few years.
These algae can produce PSTs that accumulate in shellfish feeding on the algae. Humans can ingest these toxins when eating shellfish such as oysters, mussels, scallops and clams.
Rock lobster fishery
Rock lobster feed on shellfish and can become contaminated with PSTs. Toxins build up in specific organs (rarely in the flesh) and can be dangerous to humans when eaten.
If biotoxin levels are above the prescribed minimum limit when the recreational rock lobster season is open, public health warnings will be issued via the Department of Health. These warnings will be relayed on this website and Fisheries Tasmania social media.
Scallops, abalone and other shellfish
As well as rock lobster, abalone, scallop roes and other wild shellfish including oysters, mussels, clams, pipis and wedge shells can also be affected when toxic algal blooms are present. It is important that fishers read the Health Department
standing and current alerts relating to the collecting and eating of wild shellfish.
Stay informed
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/FisheriesTasmania
Public health alerts:
www.health.tas.gov.au/health-topics/environmental-health
Biotoxin decision making protocols
Wild Fisheries has developed the
Rock Lobster Biotoxin Plan and Decision Protocol in consultation with the Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fisherman's Association, the Department of Health, Commonwealth Department of Agriculture and other stakeholders. It is used to determine management responses to a PST event.