SA: Ban on taking shellfish from Smoky Bay

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-2003
SA: Ban on taking shellfish from Smoky Bay

Taking shellfish from South Australia's Smoky Bay has been banned after the discovery
of unsafe levels of shellfish toxins.

The ban follows a warning by health authorities at the weekend that the shellfish should
not be eaten.

Primary Industries and Resources SA says the presence of a harmful marine biotoxin
in the shellfish has now been confirmed.

The department's fisheries director WILL ZACHARIN says the ban applies to all filter-feeding
shellfish including oysters, mussels, scallops, cockles and razor fish.

Mr ZACHARIN says the biotoxin can cause upset stomachs and diarrhoea.

The ban will apply until January the 31st.

Health authorities say the toxin's produced by naturally occurring marine algae but
routine tests have shown it's present in higher than acceptable concentrations at Smoky
Bay.

AAP RTV la/rcg/jas

KEYWORD: SHELLFISH (ADELAIDE)

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