Shellfish Shellfish is also abundant in New Zealand waters and on the beaches. The Toheroa is now rare enough for there only to be a few days a year when they can be fished at 90 Mile Beach. The Toheroa grows up to 170mm in length, but in the past has been found 300mm long. Below are some pictures of some of the shellfish available in New Zealand. Mussels These are green lipped mussels which are farmed for the home and export market.
Blue mussels are smaller and can be found growing beyond the tidal mark on rocks.
The tuatua is a smaller version of a toheroa and grows up to 60mm in length. It is found on the ocean beach and is fished when the tide is out. The pipi is found in sheltered harbours and estuaries on sandbanks and like the tuatua is fished for when the tide is out. Cockles Cockles grow up to 30mm in length and can be found in harbours, estuary tidal flats and sheltered coastal sandbanks. The Paua is a shellfish that likes deep water.