News

Awareness key says Fisheries Ministry

January 16, 2019 7:38 am

The Fisheries Ministry has not received any reports of fish poisoning since an advisory was put out in December.

Fisheries officer, Meli Raicebe says the Ministry had ramped up its awareness campaign to inform Fijians about the dangers of buying certain fish.

Raicebe says it’s good to see that the public is remaining vigilant.

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“I think one of the reasons why we are not receiving reports is because after the first incident – we had actually raised awareness on fish species that people and communities need to be mindful of. And I think they have taken heed of this and that is why there haven’t been any reports received with the Fisheries Ministry.”

Minister responsible Semi Koroilavesau says the high risk months are from October to April in which certain fish consume the Ciguatera toxin which is found in marine micro-algae.

Some species that is common with Ciguatera Fish Poisoning are yellow tail Barracuda, Ogo Buidromoa and Daniva.

Symptoms of Ciguatera poisoning include numbness in fingers, toes, lips, mouth and throat, burning sensation on contact with cold water.

In 2017, six Fijians in Gau died as a result of consuming fish that was poisoned with Ciguatera.