Ciguatoxin detection and model predictions for use in fisheries management in Puerto Rico Grant uri icon

abstract

  • OBJECTIVES: To determine where Ciguatoxic Fish Poisoning (CFP) toxic sites are, and identify uncontaminated sites; To collect parameters (cell counts of Gambierdiscus sp., fish species diet data) for an ECOPATH food web model at these sites; To predict levels of Ciguatoxin (CTX) at each trophic level and by fish species within these areas using the ECOTRACER simulation routine within ECOPATH; To provide to Puerto Rico Sea Grant (PRSG) educational staff the data from our ecosystem model results and measured ciguatoxin levels in species of fishes targeted by subsistence and sport fishers to be used in education and outreach efforts. METHODOLOGY: We will obtain Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) on CFP in Puerto Rico by unstructured interviews with fishers (sport, subsistence and commercial), dealers, and other fishing community members. We will sample Gambierdiscus cell counts on benthic turf algae collected at CFP sites and uncontaminated sites in PR as determined from TEK interviews. We will measure Gambierdiscus strain toxicity from samples at each of the sites and relate cell counts to CTX toxicity (with the assistance of NOAA in Beaufort, NC). We will estimate the toxicity of CTX in targeted fish muscle tissues, using the NOAA Beaufort extraction and cell culture protocols. We will parameterize the ECOPATH and ECOTRACER models using toxicity data collected to simulate the movement of toxin through food web network. We will validate the ECOPATH model using additional fish toxicity measurements and use these predictions to guide outreach and education efforts in Puerto Rico by PRSG. RATIONALE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the risks of CFP in different areas around Puerto Rico and parameterize a model so that future CFP outbreaks would be easier to predict. Also, local artisanal fishing practices would be safer than at present. This would increase market efficiency, leading to increased consumer trust in Caribbean seafood, higher production, and increased seafood sales. The project strives to create a model where a simple algae sample would be sufficient to predict a future CFP problem in that area. By sampling algae and getting cell counts of Gambierdiscus sp. strains with varying toxicity, data will be used to parameterize our final model and the levels of CTX in the fishes in that area. We will provide a validated ECOPATH model for use by Puerto Rico Sea Grant and fishery management authorities [resource managers from the PR DNER and the federal government (Caribbean Fisheries Management Council)] to use in monitoring fish CTX levels and provide consumption advisories.

date/time interval

  • February 2020 - January 2021