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All About Florida Keys Fishing & Key West Fishing
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services (DOACS) have issued advisories warning consumers not to eat puffer fish.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services (DOACS) have issued advisories warning consumers not to eat puffer fish harvested
from the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, area because these fish may contain a naturally occurring
toxin that can cause serious illness or death.
TOXIC PUFFER FISH IN FLORIDA
Some species of Florida puffer fish such as the marbled and bandtail puffer fish have been known
to be toxic for a long time. The recent concern regarding the food poisoning event linked to puffers
caught in the Titusville, Indian River area has signaled an alert that perhaps other species of puffer
fish may suddenly become toxic. For example, the southern puffer, which is not normally known to
be toxic, may have suddenly become toxic for reasons yet unknown.
There are several theories as to why puffers might be toxic. One theory considers that puffers
produce the toxin themselves as a kind of defense mechanism against other predators. Another
theory suggests that it is the bacteria that live naturally inside the puffers that produce toxins and
they only produce these toxins in certain species of puffer fish. Another possibility that is currently
being investigated is that other environmental factors could play a role. Possibilities are that some
species of toxic microalgae may have entered into the food chain of puffers and they acquire the
toxin when they feed on small animals or algae. FWC-FWRI scientists are currently working with
colleagues from the Food and Drug Administration, Florida Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services, Florida Department of Health, and other agencies to test each of these
hypotheses.
Source - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Services (DOACS) have issued advisories warning consumers not to eat puffer fish.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services (DOACS) have issued advisories warning consumers not to eat puffer fish harvested
from the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, area because these fish may contain a naturally occurring
toxin that can cause serious illness or death.
TOXIC PUFFER FISH IN FLORIDA
Some species of Florida puffer fish such as the marbled and bandtail puffer fish have been known
to be toxic for a long time. The recent concern regarding the food poisoning event linked to puffers
caught in the Titusville, Indian River area has signaled an alert that perhaps other species of puffer
fish may suddenly become toxic. For example, the southern puffer, which is not normally known to
be toxic, may have suddenly become toxic for reasons yet unknown.
There are several theories as to why puffers might be toxic. One theory considers that puffers
produce the toxin themselves as a kind of defense mechanism against other predators. Another
theory suggests that it is the bacteria that live naturally inside the puffers that produce toxins and
they only produce these toxins in certain species of puffer fish. Another possibility that is currently
being investigated is that other environmental factors could play a role. Possibilities are that some
species of toxic microalgae may have entered into the food chain of puffers and they acquire the
toxin when they feed on small animals or algae. FWC-FWRI scientists are currently working with
colleagues from the Food and Drug Administration, Florida Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services, Florida Department of Health, and other agencies to test each of these
hypotheses.
Source - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute