Toxic Tamar tucker warning

Tasmanians and tourist are being warned not to eat shellfish from the Tamar River estuary.

The Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers Program tested 300 wild oysters collected from public boat ramps and picnic areas.

It detected lower levels of cadmium, zinc and copper than a study 10 years ago, but they are still up to four times higher than food safety guidelines.

Researcher Monique Thompson says it appears locals and tourists are collecting the shellfish to eat.

"Symptoms associated with high levels of metals is sort of nausea vomiting, those sorts of things," he said.

The Health Department hopes new signs along the river will reinforce its long-standing warning against eating wild shellfish.

Metal levels in cod, flathead and mullet were not as high.

Source: ABC News, 7 November 2012