Tasmanian Association for Recreational Fishing chief Mark Nikolai says tests have revealed an algal toxin is residing in the intestines of affected rock lobsters.
RECREATIONAL fishermen fear the algal toxin already afflicting abalone and mussels off Tasmania's East Coast could spread to fin fish.
The toxin has now been found in rock lobsters in the same waters, with the recreational fishery to shut down tonight for at least three weeks.
An alert against eating wild shellfish from the area between Eddystone Point and Marion Bay was extended today following test results which showed rock lobsters had now been contaminated.
The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment said it would close the recreational rock lobster and abalone fisheries in the area from midnight tonight.
The commercial rock lobster season did not open on November 15 on the East Coast as planned because testing had not yet been completed and authorities feared the toxin could be in crayfish meat consumed by humans.
Tasmanian Association for Recreational Fishing chief executive Mark Nikolai said the tests had now revealed the algal toxin was residing in the intestines of affected rock lobsters.
But Mr Nikolai said it was important for public health authorities to be over cautious and react quickly.
He said it was also important for the public to remember the algal problems were only afflicting rock lobsters off the East Coast.
Mr Nikolai said he expected recreational rock lobster fishers to be locked out of the lucrative area for at least three weeks.
The season for female rock lobsters winds up in April, while males can be caught by recreational fishers until August.
In 2010-2011, the total Tasmanian recreational catch was 85 tonne and 60 per cent of that catch came from the East Coast.
"This is not good news at all," Mr Nikolai said.
"This is the first time this particular toxin has been found in Tasmanian waters.
He said the algal toxin could not be seen by the naked eye in affected rock lobsters, either raw or cooked.
"From what I understand, the toxin has been found to reside in the intestines and 99.9 per cent of people just eat the legs and tail," he said.
But Mr Nikolai said the big question to be answered was whether the algal toxin was spreading right through the food chain.
It is understood samples of fin fish are now being tested to see if the toxin is spreading to other marine species.
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