Warning: Beware of consuming poisonous fish, Ministry says
The Ministry of Fisheries is advising members of the public to be cautious of consuming fish that are likely to be poisonous. This comes after some fish poisoning was reported in Savusavu. Minister Semi Koroilavesau said the members of the public were very much aware of fish poisoning as there are posters available in every market in municipal centres.
“It is very clear that there are certain types and spheres of fish that are poisonous,” Mr Koroilavesau said.
“The posters actually indicate which types of fish are normally poisonous, irrespective of the season of the year, where certain types of fish such as barracuda, snapper, some cord fish, coral fish are poisonous.
“These are all listed in the chart, some of these species are encouraged not to be consumed.
“The issue is that there is no mandate within the legislation to tell consumers not to buy it.
“It’s a precarious situation where we give the advice, but we cannot actually enforce the sale or purchase of these fish species.” Mr Koroilavesau explained that there are certain bacteria or growth, like Ciguatera, within the reef system that are consumed by these fish.
“Normally, when the ocean is disturbed, it brings out the poisonous algae; when the fish consume it, it is then when the fish becomes poisonous,” he said.
“People should be aware of the type of fish they buy and can look up the ministry’s official website of which fish should not be consumed by members of the public because of the historical and scientific proof that those types of fish becomes poisonous.
“I suppose when they catch it they should throw it away.”
He added that it is believed that some people in rural communities do not take the advice seriously. Labasa and Savusavu Special Administrator Chair, Justin Hunter, is advising people to be vigilant after noticing an increase in fish poisoning recently.
“Due to the economic repercussions of COVID-19, a lot more people have been fishing more than normal,” Mr Hunter said. “Unfortunately the rain and subsequent increase in nutrients running into our seas (Tropical Cyclone Harold) has created the perfect environment for algae to bloom in our coastal waters. “Obviously, we have a bloom of Gambier discus in the mix which is din flagellate that cause ciguatera or fish poisoning.
“It would be good for people to be aware and be careful as there has been more recent cases reported all of a sudden in the past two weeks,” he said.