Authorities warn Aussies to avoid eating shellfish after high presence of toxic algae
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As the festive season approaches, Australians are looking forward to indulging in the rich culinary traditions that come with the holidays.
One such tradition, particularly for those residing on the New South Wales South Coast, is the enjoyment of fresh oysters, often sourced from the bountiful Shoalhaven River.
However, this year, a looming threat has cast a shadow over the anticipated oyster feasts: the emergence of potentially toxic algae.
In a concerning development, WaterNSW has issued a red alert for the Shoalhaven River after detecting high levels of Alexandrium minutum, a microalgae known for producing paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins.
These toxins pose a serious health risk, with symptoms ranging from mild gastrointestinal issues to severe neurological effects, and in extreme cases, can be fatal.
The timing of this discovery is particularly worrisome for local oyster farmers, who are gearing up for the busy Christmas period—a time when demand for their product peaks.
The red alert has prompted advisories against consuming shellfish from the river, including pipis, mussels, and oysters, which could significantly impact the livelihood of these farmers.
Mark Banasiak of the NSW Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party has expressed his concerns.
‘This particular [algae] species has a minimum lifespan of around 21 days,’ Banasik said.
‘Twenty-one days takes us right into that busy period where they will be trying to harvest and get stock out for Christmas, so that is a really big concern for our commercial fishers.’
With nearly 200,000 oysters produced in the Shoalhaven region in the 2020/21 season, contributing $1.7 million to the local economy, the stakes are high.
In response to the situation, the NSW Department of Primary Industry (NSWDPI) has conducted tests on oysters from farms in the Crookhaven and Shoalhaven Rivers.
As of 28 November, the tested oysters were found to be compliant with state biotoxin levels and deemed safe for consumption.
Nevertheless, weekly testing is planned to continue monitoring the situation.
Compounding the issue, recent heavy rainfall has led to the closure of all five oyster harvest areas, a precautionary measure that typically lasts about a week.
These areas will not reopen until the waters recede and microbiological tests confirm the oysters meet food safety standards.
The source of the hazardous algae bloom remained a mystery, though it was detected near Nowra Bridge following a large grain spill when two silos at Shoalhaven Starches collapsed, releasing over 1,000 tonnes of grain into the river.
While the plant owner, Manildra, is conducting a clean-up, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is also carrying out additional water quality tests to determine the cause of the bloom.
Algal blooms are not uncommon in estuarine environments and can spread with the wind and tides.
Banasiak has called on the government to take proactive measures to contain the spread.
‘It shouldn't be just a matter of sitting and watching,’ he said.
‘They can put barriers around high concentrated areas and should be proactively talking to the oyster farmers and looking to see how they can assist.’
WaterNSW advised against recreational activities like swimming, water skiing, and canoeing until the alert is lifted.
Banasiak added that this could significantly impact local tourism, which thrives during the summer as people flock to the south coast for camping and fishing.
‘The south coast is a hugely popular area for tourism,’ he said.
‘People go down there camping and fishing over the Christmas break so they will obviously have to be careful about what they can do, so that is going to hurt the area.’
If you suspect you've been affected by an algal bloom, seek medical advice immediately.
Have you been affected by the algae bloom in the Shoalhaven River, or do you have any concerns about how this might impact your holiday plans? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
One such tradition, particularly for those residing on the New South Wales South Coast, is the enjoyment of fresh oysters, often sourced from the bountiful Shoalhaven River.
However, this year, a looming threat has cast a shadow over the anticipated oyster feasts: the emergence of potentially toxic algae.
In a concerning development, WaterNSW has issued a red alert for the Shoalhaven River after detecting high levels of Alexandrium minutum, a microalgae known for producing paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins.
These toxins pose a serious health risk, with symptoms ranging from mild gastrointestinal issues to severe neurological effects, and in extreme cases, can be fatal.
Authorities raised a red alert after discovering high levels of toxic algae in Shoalhaven River. Credit: Shoal Haven website
The timing of this discovery is particularly worrisome for local oyster farmers, who are gearing up for the busy Christmas period—a time when demand for their product peaks.
The red alert has prompted advisories against consuming shellfish from the river, including pipis, mussels, and oysters, which could significantly impact the livelihood of these farmers.
Mark Banasiak of the NSW Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party has expressed his concerns.
‘This particular [algae] species has a minimum lifespan of around 21 days,’ Banasik said.
‘Twenty-one days takes us right into that busy period where they will be trying to harvest and get stock out for Christmas, so that is a really big concern for our commercial fishers.’
With nearly 200,000 oysters produced in the Shoalhaven region in the 2020/21 season, contributing $1.7 million to the local economy, the stakes are high.
In response to the situation, the NSW Department of Primary Industry (NSWDPI) has conducted tests on oysters from farms in the Crookhaven and Shoalhaven Rivers.
As of 28 November, the tested oysters were found to be compliant with state biotoxin levels and deemed safe for consumption.
Nevertheless, weekly testing is planned to continue monitoring the situation.
Compounding the issue, recent heavy rainfall has led to the closure of all five oyster harvest areas, a precautionary measure that typically lasts about a week.
These areas will not reopen until the waters recede and microbiological tests confirm the oysters meet food safety standards.
The source of the hazardous algae bloom remained a mystery, though it was detected near Nowra Bridge following a large grain spill when two silos at Shoalhaven Starches collapsed, releasing over 1,000 tonnes of grain into the river.
While the plant owner, Manildra, is conducting a clean-up, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is also carrying out additional water quality tests to determine the cause of the bloom.
Algal blooms are not uncommon in estuarine environments and can spread with the wind and tides.
Banasiak has called on the government to take proactive measures to contain the spread.
‘It shouldn't be just a matter of sitting and watching,’ he said.
‘They can put barriers around high concentrated areas and should be proactively talking to the oyster farmers and looking to see how they can assist.’
WaterNSW advised against recreational activities like swimming, water skiing, and canoeing until the alert is lifted.
Banasiak added that this could significantly impact local tourism, which thrives during the summer as people flock to the south coast for camping and fishing.
‘The south coast is a hugely popular area for tourism,’ he said.
‘People go down there camping and fishing over the Christmas break so they will obviously have to be careful about what they can do, so that is going to hurt the area.’
If you suspect you've been affected by an algal bloom, seek medical advice immediately.
