Sydneysiders are warned to not eat seafood collected or caught within the Broken Bay space because of an outbreak of poisonous algae bloom, with fears it might trigger Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP).
Mussels and oysters shouldn’t be eaten in addition to the center of crabs and lobsters if they’re caught by leisure fishers within the space in response to the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
However, the division says that seafood out there in retailers and eating places is “safe to eat because the NSW Food Authority monitors the safety of commercially harvested shellfish.”
Deputy Director General for Biosecurity and Food Safety John Tracey stated the present affected space contains the waters of Broken Bay upstream to Cowan Creek, the coastal zone between Little Beach (Bouddi) and Bangalley Headland and Pittwater.
Paralytic shellfish toxins are produced by sure poisonous algae species and shellfish similar to oysters, mussels, scallops, cockles and clams shouldn’t be taken or consumed from this space,” Dr Tracey stated.
“With Christmas just around the corner, it‘s important that communities in the Broken Bay area take extra precautions when collecting and consuming seafood. Cooking the product does not remove the risks posed by this toxin.
“It is recommended that recreational fishers do not consume shellfish including bivalves (mussels and oysters) or the hepatopancreas (guts) of crabs and lobsters (white meat is safe to eat) caught in the Broken Bay area.”
Symptoms of PSP embody numbness and a tingling/prickly feeling across the mouth, face and extremities, issue swallowing or respiratory, dizziness and headache.
More extreme instances can see individuals expertise nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, paralysis, respiratory failure and in extreme instances, demise.
Dr Tracey stated signs normally seem inside 10 minutes to a few hours of consuming.
“Anyone experiencing these symptoms after eating seafood from or near the affected area should seek immediate medical attention,” Dr Tracey stated.
“Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning is rare, but it is important that people follow this advice to avoid getting sick.”
