boattart Posted November 23, 2012 Posted November 23, 2012 I just had a call from a mate at NSW fisheries that a toxic algae has been detected in Botany Bay. This algae is known to cause paralytic shellfish poisoning. Due to the detection of the algae no shellfish should be consumed from Botany bay. This includes the Blue Swimmers I was planning to look for tomorrow as well as all molluscs and bivalves. This is a general health alert from NSW Fisheries and signs will be erected at several locations around the Bay however given that many don't use ramps they have asked to spread the word.
rockfisherman Posted November 23, 2012 Posted November 23, 2012 Good work mate, thanks for that. Fishingphase
boattart Posted November 23, 2012 Author Posted November 23, 2012 (edited) They were actually out on the road installing signs when they rang me (partly because I told him yesterday I would be taking the kids out tomorrow to try and find some crabs). I think being Friday afternoon there was a bit of a rush to get signs and info out before the weekend so an official press release or statement may still be coming. Edited November 23, 2012 by boattart
mikeh191 Posted November 23, 2012 Posted November 23, 2012 This warning was just on channel 10 news,thanks for the heads up mark. cheers Mike
Davemmm Posted November 23, 2012 Posted November 23, 2012 Thanks for that. The crab bait has just gone back in the freezer
Catchin Jack Posted November 23, 2012 Posted November 23, 2012 Yeh just seen it, went searching DPI website and found NOTHING, typical government department, you'd think they'd have it on there already but no, it's all about themselves and how good they are.
boattart Posted November 23, 2012 Author Posted November 23, 2012 That's a pretty disappointing response Catchin Jack. Particularly from a moderator of this site. The guys that work at NSW Fisheries are out there are on the road installing signs on ramps for the public that don't sit on the internet all the time. They are doing their best to get word out and instead of passing on info you would rather sit back whinging about official press releases. I thought this site was better than that.
Davemmm Posted November 23, 2012 Posted November 23, 2012 I would have thought the first response from a Govt department was a press release followed by electronic warnings. Not an ad-hoc posting at boat ramps
dhype Posted November 23, 2012 Posted November 23, 2012 (edited) Looks like the algae effects shellfish only and finfish still ok... I checked a few news sources and all report shellfish and lobster gut.... http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/toxic-seafood-warning-in-sydney-bay/story-e6frfku9-1226523098259 Edited November 23, 2012 by dhype
boattart Posted November 23, 2012 Author Posted November 23, 2012 I would have thought the first response from a Govt department was a press release followed by electronic warnings. Not an ad-hoc posting at boat ramps So which part of the ninemsn, newspapers and their websites, 6.00 news should have been put on hold while someone (who's jobs probably already been transferred to Nowra or Coff Harbour) should have been put off while someone posted an official press release on a website the no-one here would have looked at.
Catchin Jack Posted November 23, 2012 Posted November 23, 2012 Boatart, I have every right to voice my opinion on matters just like every other member of this site, just because i'm a moderator does not mean I must gag myself and not comment, I have not broken site rules so there is no problem, that ends that issue. As for my statement, it is a serious matter what's going on any now they're putting signs up, how long does it take to get them made up or to order them from wherever which leads me to think.....How long have they known about it already and was it them that contacted the news or was it the television station that found out about it, looked into it and aired it? I notice you said I just had a call from a mate at NSW fisheries and This is a general health alert from NSW Fisheries and signs will be erected at several locations around the Bay however given that many don't use ramps they have asked to spread the word. , so it's good your "mate" called you and made you the spokes person for them to "spread the word" BUT it is their duty to make the public aware be it and get the message across to as much of the population as possible and do it officially via media release, not just ring their mates and get them to spread the word. So if you don't spread the word and someone dies, are you going to be responsible because you didn't spread the word? I don't think so mate. It is the responsibility of the Government Department to do so as it is their responsibility and they have a duty of care to do so and as said before, to get out today and erect signs, how long have they already known about it before acting.This ends this discussion, if you would like to continue this then PM me. PS - Thank you for bringing this matter to the attention of the members on the site, we will post topic up officially if and when something "official" is released.
Catchin Jack Posted November 24, 2012 Posted November 24, 2012 A TOXIC algal bloom which potentially poisons a range of seafood has been detected in Sydney's Botany Bay. The NSW Department of Primary Industries said it had detected a species of algae which produces paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins. It said it found toxins above safe levels for human consumption in shellfish from Botany Bay during routine monitoring on Friday. The NSW Food Authority has warned people against eating oysters, mussels, cockles, clams or the gut of rock lobster or abalone taken from the bay or the Georges River. It's also warning people against eating periwinkles, sea urchins or crabs. Cooking won't destroy the toxins, it said. Anyone who experiences symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning are being advised to seek medical assistance. Symptoms include tingling in the mouth, pins and needles, unsteadiness on the feet, weakness of the arms or legs and nausea. Shellfish bought from commercial seafood outlets were not affected, the Food Authority said. They are also warning of Georges River, I guess it may include Woronora River seeing as it's on the same waterway. Thanks Boatart for heads up but still no official government release from any deptartment, this was sourced from news site.
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