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NCCOS Leads International Effort to Reduce Ciguatera Fish Poisoning

Published on: 11/06/2014
Research Area(s): Marine Spatial Ecology

To reduce incidence of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP) and increase safety of seafood consumption around the world, scientists from NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) are leading international efforts to develop a global strategy to improve Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP) monitoring and prediction. The strategy, endorsed by the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, was one of the topics discussed at last week's 16th International Conference on Harmful Algae in Wellington, New Zealand.

NCCOS also led a hands-on workshop at the conference on the use of advanced molecular methods for detection and monitoring of harmful algae, focusing on CFP-causing algae. CFP is the leading form of non-bacterial human illness from fish consumption worldwide. The illness is caused by eating certain tropical and sub-tropical reef and shallow-water fish whose flesh is contaminated with toxins originally produced by microscopic, marine algae.

CFP is an issue encountered frequently throughout the U.S. due to consumption of fish imported from ciguatera endemic regions.

For more information, contact Rob.Magnien@noaa.gov.

 

 

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