Management of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning in the South Pacific

Catches of near-shore or coastal fish continue to be a major source of animal protein for the nations of the South Pacific region. Nominal landings of near-shore fishes amount to about 90,000 t/yr, about half of which is reef fish. Ciguatoxic fishes are found throughout much of the region but in some locations, such as the island of Niutao in Tuvalu, there is a comparatively high risk of intoxication associated with eating reef fish. Ciguatoxic fish are normally avoided, but where this is not possible due to lack of an alternative food source, they are readily consumed. The risk of poisoning is considered acceptable by the community and ciguatera is generally not regarded as a significant health problem in most island countries. This low level of concern with ciguatera is reflected in the attitude of general practitioners and other medical staff, who are reluctant to see ciguatera given priority over more serious public health problems. Although ciguatera is of relative low priority as a medical problem in the region, fisheries development initiatives should aim to reduce the risk of ciguatera by improving supplies of nontoxic deep reef slope species and pelagic species caught in the open sea away from the reef. Elsewhere, ciguatera management is probably best focused on limiting the impact of fish poisonings on tourism and reef fish exports. Initiatives to improve the management of ciguatera such as the South Pacific Commission seafood poisoning database are discussed.