Photo: DFO

Illegal shellfish harvesting is on the rise in B.C. – and authorities warn much of the activity is happening in areas off limits due to contamination.

Nanaimo and the Sunshine Coast are particular hot spots, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans says.

Almost 3,000 pounds of contaminated shellfish was seized just last week in the Nanaimo area.

Tickets totalling almost $3,000 have been issued in Nanaimo and Powell River.

The DFO warns consuming the shellfish poses the risk of serious health issues. It's also concerned illegal shellfish may have made its way into the commercial chain and wound up in restaurants and shops.

"These animals are siphon feeders, they eat what's in the waters," DFO officer Monte Bromley told CTV. "If there's diseases or sicknesses in the water, they're going to take those and ingest them into their body. And if you eat the clams, you're getting those sicknesses."

Cases of norovirus linked to the consumption of shellfish have been reported in B.C. this year.

– with files from CTV Vancouver Island