MPI Fisheries - Gisborne/Whakatane/Rotorua

30/04/2026

New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from the Eastern Bay of Plenty region due to the presence of paralytic shellfish toxins.

Routine tests on mussels from Te Kaha have shown levels of paralytic shellfish toxins over the safe limit.

The warning extends from Opape to Matakaoa Point, near Hicks Bay. Please do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so could get sick.

Affected shellfish include bivalve shellfish such as mussels, oysters, tuatua, p**i, toheroa, cockles and scallops, as well as pūpū (cat’s eyes) and Cook’s turban.

Cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, so shellfish from this area should not be eaten.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

Kina and finfish are not affected by this public health warning, but we advise gutting the fish and discarding the liver before cooking.

If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued, phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately. You are also advised to contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.

More information: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/where-unsafe-to-collect-shellfish/shellfish-biotoxin-alerts

16/02/2026

Brendan enjoys taking people out boating and while the fishing’s good, it’s not all about that.

For more info on how to help stop the spread of invasive marine pests and protect the incredible marine spaces we all enjoy, www.biosecurity.govt.nz/boaties

02/02/2026

Kim loves to take her kids out for an after-school boating adventure and get their friends out fishing.

For more info on how to help stop the spread of invasive marine pests and protect the incredible marine spaces we all enjoy, www.biosecurity.govt.nz/boaties

20/01/2026

Sailing is international racer Brad’s big interest in life. “We’re unbelievably lucky” with the boating opportunities we have here.

For more info on how to help stop the spread of invasive marine pests and protect the incredible marine spaces we all enjoy, https://bit.ly/49FNyiW

13/01/2026

New Zealand Food Safety has removed the following public health warning against collecting shellfish from the Eastern Bay of Plenty, between Opape and East Cape.

Further sampling of shellfish from the area have shown toxins are now at safe levels.

To stay up-to-date on the latest shellfish biotoxin allerts, visit: https://bit.ly/4sSDwTo

** Shellfish biotoxin updates **

New Zealand Food Safety has removed the public health warning against collecting shellfish in the Bay of Plenty region between Mount Maunganui and Ford Road, near Maketu. Sampling of shellfish along this coastline has shown that paralytic shellfish toxins have dropped to safe levels.

Another paralytic shellfish toxin warning remains in place for Eastern Bay of Plenty, between Opape and East Cape, due to high levels of paralytic shellfish toxins in mussels from Te Kaha.

Do not collect shellfish from this area, and note that cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxins.

More information 👉 https://bit.ly/488Z1FS

07/01/2026

David has been mad about fishing since he was a kid. He enjoys taking family and friends out – and he wants to protect that for the future.

For more info on how to help stop the spread of invasive marine pests and protect the incredible marine spaces we all enjoy, www.biosecurity.govt.nz/boaties

23/12/2025

For many of us, the sea is our happy place, listen to these kiwi boaties talk about, what they love to do when they’re out boating and why our New Zealand marine environment is worth protecting.

For more info on how to help stop the spread of invasive marine pests and protect the incredible marine spaces we all enjoy, www.biosecurity.govt.nz/boaties

18/12/2025

** Shellfish biotoxin updates **

New Zealand Food Safety has removed the public health warning against collecting shellfish in the Bay of Plenty region between Mount Maunganui and Ford Road, near Maketu. Sampling of shellfish along this coastline has shown that paralytic shellfish toxins have dropped to safe levels.

Another paralytic shellfish toxin warning remains in place for Eastern Bay of Plenty, between Opape and East Cape, due to high levels of paralytic shellfish toxins in mussels from Te Kaha.

Do not collect shellfish from this area, and note that cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxins.

More information 👉 https://bit.ly/488Z1FS

16/12/2025

** Know your fishing rules **

Many Kiwis enjoy their kaimoana - and pāua is often top of the menu. If you’re planning on gathering pāua over the summer and during the festive season, be sure you know the legal daily limit and size that you can take.

It's important to note that the rules can vary depending on where you’re gathering pāua, and in some cases an area may be closed.

Fishery Officers work hard to protect our shared fisheries and keep them sustainable into the future. If you’re unsure of the rules, download the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app: https://bit.ly/47fcaxV

It will provide you with the latest rules, including closures and restrictions. By following these rules, you’ll have nothing to worry about during a Fisheries New Zealand inspection or roadside checkpoint.

Catch a feed, not a fine.

05/12/2025

Fishery Officers will be inspecting your seafood catch on the beaches, wharfs, at sea, and at roadside checkpoints during summer.

We’re reminding you to stop at these roadside checkpoints or risk prosecution, as happened to a Taranaki fisher who was fined $1500 in the Hāwera District Court this week and had his vehicle forfeited to the Crown.

The 33-year-old man was approaching a checkpoint in February in Opunake, which is within the Western Taranaki Temporary Closure Area. He was directed to stop, but instead swerved off the road and accelerated past the checkpoint.

Fishery Officers work hard to protect our shared fisheries and keep them sustainable for the future. If you’re unsure of the rules, download the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app. It will provide you with the latest rules, including closures and restrictions.

📲 Download here: https://bit.ly/47fcaxV

By following these rules, you’ll have nothing to worry about at a Fisheries New Zealand roadside checkpoint.