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.

贝类在新西兰是一种具有高度文化、经济和营养重要性的流行食品，但也可能是人类接触污染物的重要途径。目前，新西兰贝类消费率的有限数据给风险评估带来了挑战。本研究使用自行完成的平行混合方法调查，调查了北国贝类消费率和休闲采集做法。百分之七十六（$n=229$) 的调查受访者总数 ($n=302$) 报告食用贝类，平均每日消费量为 4.8 g.day ^-1。食用煮熟的贝类比生的贝类更受欢迎。72% 的贝类消费者 ($n=166$) 报告食用休闲采集的贝类，平均 48% 的贝类是休闲采集的。虽然聚会的主要动机是享受，但提供食物也很重要。在选择采集地点时，受访者优先考虑距离和贝类数量而不是贝类质量，报告称采集地点有限且地理位置接近。总体而言，贝类的质量被认为是高的，并且没有变化，尽管少数受访者表示由于过度采集而导致质量下降。种族是影响贝类消费的主要参数，而年龄和性别影响贝类采集。