The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has warned the public not to collect or eat any wild shellfish from Saldanha Bay and nearby coastal areas until further notice.
According to a recent monitoring report, mussels and oysters from Saldanha Bay farms contained very high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins (PST) — more than 15 times the legal safety limit.
Officials also detected high levels of the toxin-producing phytoplankton Alexandrium catenella, a sign of a serious harmful algal bloom.
As a result, harvesting areas in Saldanha Bay have been closed for shellfish meant for human consumption.
It is not yet clear how far the risk extends along the West Coast, and toxin levels may differ from one area to another.
Eating contaminated shellfish, such as mussels, can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning — a serious illness that can be life-threatening.
The public is strongly advised not to harvest or eat any wild shellfish from Saldanha Bay and surrounding coastal areas until further notice. -SAnews.gov.za
