Sea slugs found during a recent dive survey have tested positive for tetrodotoxin (TTX), a toxin causing death and illness in dogs last winter.
The dive survey found 94 grey side-gilled sea slugs, Pleurobranchaea maculate, in subtidal water at Long Bay, Browns Bay, Narrow Neck Beach, Cheltenham, Bayswater, Mission Bay and Illiomama Rock near Rangitoto Island.
A sea slug from each location was tested for TTX and the results returned positive.
While the investigation into what is causing the sea slugs’ toxicity continues, councils are routinely patrolling local beaches and collecting any sea slugs found.
Caution is still advised for people visiting the beaches and the Auckland Regional Public Health Service recommends the following:
- Children and pets still need to be supervised on Hauraki Gulf beaches.
- Adults, children and pets should not eat anything found washed up on any Hauraki Gulf beach.
- Parents need to be aware of where their children are swimming or playing, and what they are handling.
- Sea slugs on any beach must be avoided. If you find one, mark the spot, leave well alone, phone the city or district council and ask for an environmental health officer who will collect the slug safely.
Further surveys are planned as part of the investigation to find out more about the sea slugs.
Auckland Regional Council will continue coordinating the efforts of the various agencies involved in the response.
Related posts:
- 48 sea slugs found at Narrow Neck Beach awaiting results of tests for TTX
- Beaches should be treated with caution
- Sea Slug signs back up on North Shore beaches
- Sea slug warning still in place
- Caution on beaches still advised
