SALDANHA BAY – The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has warned the public not to collect or consume wild shellfish from Saldanha Bay and surrounding coastal areas.

Monitoring on Monday 25 May detected very high levels of paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) in mussels and oysters from Saldanha Bay farms, with toxin levels recorded at more than 15 times the regulatory safety limit.

High concentrations of toxin-producing phytoplankton (Alexandrium catenella) have been recorded, indicating a harmful algal bloom.

Production areas in Saldanha Bay have been closed for harvesting for human consumption. The extent of the risk along the West Coast remains unclear, and toxin levels may vary across different areas.

Consumption of contaminated shellfish can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning, which may be life-threatening.

The public is advised to avoid harvesting or eating wild shellfish from Saldanha Bay and surrounding coastal areas until further notice.