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Advisory by BFAR, DA 09 August 2001
The findings of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource in its ciguatoxin monitoring activities show that the BARRACUDA species of fish (belonging to family Sphyraenide) fished from Northern Palawan waters and Honda Bay are positive for ciguatoxin. Higher concentrations of the toxin were observed in all the livers of the samples. Hence, the public is advised to avoid eating this species.
The Barracuda fish samples analyzed for the toxin measured (total lengths) from a minimum of 35 cm. to a maximum of 140 cm. and weighing from 200 grams to 13 kilograms. The livers of the samples had higher concentration of the toxin while the stomach muscles of all the samples also showed positive results.
Ciguatoxin is a toxin produced by microscopic and bottom dweller algae called Gambierdiscus toxicus. This toxin is fat soluble. When reef fishes graze or eat these organisms the toxin is assimilated in the system of the fish. This toxin is highly concentrated in the internal organs of fishes such as the livers, roe and etc. The brain and muscles of the barracuda fish such as stomach muscles are found also to have higher concentrations of the toxin.
There is no antidote for ciguatoxin. The symptoms of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning are abdominal pain, numbness or tingling sensations in the mouth and lip area, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, nausea, leg pain progressing from down upward, body weakness and reversal sensations of hot and cold wherein the hot objects feels cold and cold objects feels hot.
The public is therefore advised to refrain from eating Barracuda species of fish.
SGD. MALCOLM I. SARMIENTO, JR. Director |
