Sydney Harbour Prawns

[Big Bob]

Harbour prawns a risk to health

By Vera Devai

December 4, 2005

PRAWN fishing has been suspended in Sydney Harbour because of toxic dioxin levels found in the shellfish.

Fish are not believed to have been affected but will be tested as a precaution.

High dioxin levels can pose a potential health risk over the long term and have been linked to serious diseases such as cancer.

There are 20 commercial fishers who harvest prawns from Sydney Harbour and the industry is quite small.

In 2004-2005, they accounted for only 5.5 tonnes of the total prawn harvest, or less than one per cent of the traditional supply to local seafood markets.

Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said the ban affected commercial and recreational prawn fishers and would remain in place until the dioxin levels were safe.

"This closure applies to Sydney Harbour prawn operators only," Mr Macdonald said.

"A range of fin-fish species will also be included in the emergency sampling as an added precaution."

Further tests would be carried out as a matter of urgency, he said.

"We are hopeful to have the results before Christmas so that we can provide certainty to fishers in the Sydney Harbour," Mr Macdonald said.

Sydney Harbour prawns were generally supplied to particular markets and this temporary closure is not expected to impact the broader availability of locally grown prawns, he said.

The NSW Food Authority expressed concerns that regular consumers of harbour prawns could be at risk and recommended the suspension.

It comes in addition to several other bans already in place, including all fishing in Homebush Bay and Duck River because of contamination concerns.

The Sunday Telegraph

[Hooky.]

PRAWN fishing has been suspended in Sydney Harbour because of toxic dioxin levels found in the shellfish.

Fish are not believed to have been affected but will be tested as a precaution.

If the prawns are affected and the fish eat the prawns, wouldn't that mean the fish would be affected as well?

Interested to see the outcome of this one.