No toxic algal blooms detected yet despite warmer West Coast sea
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon
No toxic algal blooms have been detected in shellfish off the West Coast this summer, despite the warmer ocean temperatures caused by the marine heatwave.
Long stretches of the northern West Coast shoreline were closed to shellfish gathering for much of the first half of the 2000s due to periodic algal blooms.
MetService has said surface temperatures may reach 6C higher
than normal off the West Coast this
week.
However, algal blooms have not been detected off the West Coast for about five years.
Staff at both the West Coast Regional Council and West Coast Community and Public Health said regular testing was now being conducted via MPI.
"There's no issue at this stage but they are investigating," West Coast Regional Council science team leader Jonny Horrix said.
"I guess the assumption is no news is good news."
They would act on any adverse test results showing danger to human health from consuming affected shellfish.
New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said they currently had two regular shellfish sampling sites on the West Coast — both linked to popular gathering spots.
This was where mussels were collected and tested for toxins resulting from algal blooms.
"Cape Foulwind and Twelve Mile Beach have been in operation for some time and were chosen due to their location and popularity for shellfish gathering along this stretch of coast," he said.
Testing is done fortnightly all year round and the mussels are analysed for diarrhetic shellfish toxins and paralytic shellfish toxins.
"There have been no elevated test results recently."
Arbuckle said should toxins be detected above the regulatory limit, NZ Food Safety would issue a public health warning, advising against the gathering of shellfish in the relevant area.
"Warning signs will also be erected along the affected coastline."
* Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air
A riddle to start the festive season 🌲🎁🌟
I'm a fruit. If you take away my first letter, I'm a crime. If you take away my first two letters, I'm an animal. If you take away my first and last letter, I'm a form of music. What am I?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
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Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.4% Yes
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46.6% No
‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...
As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.
Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.
There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”
A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105
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