Shellfish consumption and recreational gathering practices in Northland, New Zealand

Abstract Shellfish are a popular food with high cultural, economic and nutritional importance in New Zealand but may also be a significant pathway of human exposure to contaminants. Currently, limited data on shellfish consumption rates in New Zealand poses challenges for risk assessment. This study investigated the rate of shellfish consumption and recreational gathering practices in Northland using a self-completed parallel mixed methodology survey. Seventy six percent ( n = 229 ) of total survey respondents ( n = 302 ) reported consuming shellfish, with an average daily consumption of 4.8 g.day−1. Consumption of cooked shellfish was preferred over raw shellfish. Seventy-two percent of shellfish consumers ( n = 166 ) reported eating recreationally gathered shellfish, with on average 48% of shellfish consumed gathered recreationally. While the key motivation for gathering was enjoyment, providing food was also of great importance. When selecting gathering places respondents prioritised proximity and shellfish quantity over shellfish quality, reporting limited and geographically close gathering sites. In general, the quality of shellfish was perceived to be high, and unchanged, although a minority of respondents reported a perceived decline in the quality due to over gathering. Ethnicity was the main parameter influencing shellfish consumption whereas age and gender influenced shellfish gathering.