CUBA – Scientists from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are assisting local researchers in Cuba to detect and manage biotoxins in marine algae that pose severe risks to seafood safety.
These efforts focus on addressing ciguatoxins, dangerous poisons produced by harmful blooms of microscopic algae that primarily affect small island developing states in tropical regions.
Ciguatoxins are known to accumulate in the food chain, particularly in larger fish, leading to ciguatera poisoning in humans who consume contaminated seafood. This poisoning manifests in symptoms ranging from digestive distress to neurological issues such as numbness and weakness.
Each year, harmful algal blooms (HABs) cause thousands of poisoning cases worldwide, disrupting food chains and resulting in the deaths of marine life and sea birds.
Advancing detection techniques
Despite the widespread impact of ciguatoxins, many countries struggle to detect and manage these biotoxins effectively.
The IAEA has responded by building capacity for ciguatera monitoring through nuclear and isotopic techniques. These advanced methods enable faster identification of biotoxins in seafood and offer a more accurate means of detecting outbreaks compared to traditional approaches.
In a recent initiative, the IAEA provided training for Cuban scientists on the receptor binding assay (RBA), a new detection method capable of identifying ciguatoxins even in samples containing multiple toxin variants.
RBA technology is now recognized as a regulatory method for certifying the safety of seafood, including shellfish exported to the European Union.
Empowering Caribbean nations
The transfer of RBA technology to Caribbean nations, including Cuba, has significantly enhanced local scientists’ ability to monitor marine toxins.
The early detection of harmful algal blooms has enabled these nations to implement early warning systems, improving seafood safety and protecting public health.
The IAEA has also organized international workshops to train scientists from small island developing states in the latest marine toxin detection techniques, fostering global collaboration and knowledge exchange.
“With the right tools, ciguatera blooms and ciguatoxin outbreaks can be effectively mitigated. The IAEA workshops to transfer knowledge on marine toxin monitoring and management techniques are a key aspect in capacity building and strengthening in small islands developing states and consequently have a direct impact on the management of harmful algal blooms and their effects on our marine environments and the people relying on them,” Alejandro Garcia Moya, Director of the Environmental Studies Centre of Cienfuegos (CEAC), noted the importance of these efforts.
The IAEA’s Marine Environment Laboratories continue to play a crucial role in ensuring that innovative detection methods are adopted by countries most affected by ciguatera.
“Our expertise in nuclear science and technology and collaborations with scientific partners are a testament to what collaborative science can achieve,” Florence Descroix-Comanducci, Director of the IAEA’s Marine Environment Laboratories, emphasized the value of these collaborative efforts.
Building early warning systems
In 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), IAEA, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission published a technical guide on establishing early warning systems for HABs.
The guide provides steps for authorities to enhance existing warning systems or build new ones, with a focus on managing HABs that affect food safety and security. This publication highlights ongoing efforts to protect global seafood supplies from the threat of marine toxins entering the food chain.
As part of their monitoring activities, Cuban scientists in Guajimico use a unique base to sample microorganisms that could produce toxins.
This work is a critical element of the broader strategy to monitor and manage harmful algal blooms, contributing to the protection of marine environments and the communities that rely on them for food and livelihood.
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