Canterbury District Health Board has closed part of the coastline between Christchurch and Banks Peninsula to shellfishing after harmful toxins were detected in shellfish.
The health board issued the closure from Amberley north of Christchurch to Birdlings Flat on Banks Peninsula after test results revealed Diarrehetic Shellfish Poisoning toxins were above the health safety limit.
Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Alistair Humphrey says the Ministry of Fisheries' monitoring programme had been detecting rising levels of the toxin in samples.
Dr Humphrey says the closure is the first for recreational harvesting because of DSP toxins for several years.
The ban also applies to commercial farms around Banks Peninsula but not to Akaroa Harbour.
