You may want to check out Bruce Halstead's "Poisonous and Venomous
Marine Animals" both volume 1&2. There is a newer one volume compilation
of that older set. While the original set of books was completed in the
1960s it is quite a body of work for biotoxin information up until that
period. The combined book with a similar name was completed in the 1970s
and was updated a bit. These books represent quite an encyclopedic
exploration of the marine biotoxin field. I do recall conch being
mentioned as potential carriers of ciguatoxin.
As I have written before, current testing methods for ciguatera toxins
are very limited if non-existent. Perhaps the closest one is going to
get for the time being is using the old fashioned mouse test.
John Wekell, Ph.D.
NOAA Retired
Megapesca (Telepac) wrote:
> Dear Seafood Listers
>
> Is anyone aware of any evidence regarding the presence of a marine biotixin hazard in queen conch (Stromus gigas) which forms an important part of the international trade in fishery products in some Caribbean countries?
>
> The Fish and Fisheries Products Hazards and Controls Guide: Third Edition June 2001 does not recongise the marine biotoxin hazard in conch. However EC Regulations require that this potential hazard in tunicates, echinoderms, and marine gastropods should be addressed in an area monitoring and control system as defined for bivalve molluscs in accordance with Section VII of the Annex to Regulation 853/2004.
>
> Furthermore the FVO of DG SANCO has stated:
>
> “This gastropod (Stromus gigas) feeds only on sea-grass (where some benthic toxic producing dinoflagellates - such as ciguatera producing ones - or other microrganisms, can be found)” Final Report of a Mission Carried Out In Jamaica From 5 to 11 July 2006 in Order to Assess the Public Health Controls and the Conditions of Production of Fishery and Aquaculture Products and Marine Gastropods, European Commission, Health & Consumer Protection Directorate-General Directorate F - Food And Veterinary Office, DG(SANCO)/8237/2006 - MR Final
>
> As far as I am aware, Jamaica is the only exporter to the EC of this species, and established a monitoring system from August 2006 following the advice of the European Commmission. The only positive results for marine biotoxins in conch detected in Jamaica were established as likely false positives.
>
> Is anyone aware whether there have been any confirmed instances of detection of marine biotoxins in this herbivorous species? Or is this just another case of lack of coherence in EU standards?
>
> Best wishes
>
> Ian Goulding
>
> Megapesca Lda
>
> Rua Gago Coutinho
> Valado Sta.Quiteria
> 2460 207 Alfeizerao
> PORTUGAL
> Tel.+ 351 262 990 372
> Fax.+ 351 262 990 496
> www.megapesca.com
> megapesca@mail.telepac.pt
> skype: bengoulding
>
>
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