CIGUATERA SURVEYS

Ciguatera Toxins Confirmed in Several Sanctuary Species: FDA Issues Guidance Letter for Fishing Industry

Several recent ciguatera poisoning cases have resulted from the consumption of fish caught near the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS). In response, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) collected a sampling of fish for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to analyze. The fish were collected from the sanctuary and its immediate surroundings.

The focus of the sampling was on large, carnivorous reef fish as they are the most likely to have accumulated significant amounts of the ciguatera toxin. All told, 31 fish representing 12 different species were tested:

Marbled Grouper. Photo:Joyce & Frank Burek

Amberjack
Barracuda
Gag Grouper
Jack Crevalle
Marbled Grouper
Red Snapper
Sand Tilefish
Scamp
Shark
Snowy Grouper
Vermillion Snapper
Yellowmouth Grouper

Of these 31 fish, four individual specimens were found to contain ciguatera toxin levels above FDA recommended levels:

Barracuda
Marbled Grouper
Scamp
Sand Tilefish

When consumed by humans, fish containing ciguatera toxin can cause a range of symptoms within 6-24 hours such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, muscle cramps, headaches, profound fatigue, itching and tingling skin, and a reversal of hot and cold sensations.

FDA ADVISORY

On February 5, 2008 the FDA issued a letter of guidance to seafood processors that purchase fish caught near the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. The letter recommends that processors avoid purchasing the following species of concern, listed in terms of specific ranges around the sanctuary.

 

Gulf of Mexico map showing FDA Advisory Zones for fishes caught near the sanctuary. Click on the map for a larger image.

 

Within 10 miles of FGBNMS:

Marbled Grouper (Epinephelus inermis)
Hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus)
Blackfin Snapper (Lutjanus buccanella)
Dog Snapper (Lutjanus jocu)
Gag Grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis)
Scamp Grouper (Mycteroperca phenax)
Yellowfin Grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa)

Within 50 miles of FGBNMS:

Yellow Jack (Caranx bartholomaei)
Horse-eye Jack (Caranx latus)
Black Jack (Caranx lugubris)
King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla)
Amberjack (Seriola dumerili)
Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda)

 

Close up of the FDA Advisory Zones surrounding the sanctuary. Click on the map for a larger image.

 

 

The sanctuary will continue to work with the FDA to monitor the levels of ciguatera toxin in fish.

For more information regarding the ciguatera toxin, visit the FDA's web site.

All other questions may be directed to Stephanie Kwisnek, FDA media contact, at 301-827-0955 or 301-436-1408.