Azra Blythe, Ministry of Agriculture, Veterinary Services Division, Jamaica

Abstract

The presence of toxic phytoplankton species has not been well documented in the Caribbean region and focus has only been on a few species such as; Gambierdiscus toxicus which is known to occur in coral reef areas and leads to ciguatera fish poisoning and Pyrodinium bahamense which forms luminescent blooms and serves as major tourist attractions, (found in Oyster Bay, Jamaica). Toxic phytoplankton species are often linked to shellfish fishery because of the occurrence of neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms in humans from shellfish poisoning which is one of the main indicators of the presence of the toxins in the water along with fish kills. Numerous small-scale fish kills have occurred in Jamaican coastal waters and have been associated with red tides among other pollutants. The causative or dominant species responsible have seldom been positively identified and when recorded are usually in numbers below harmful levels. Pedro Bank is the main harvesting site for Jamaica accounting for over half the amount of fisheries resource landed annually, and the only site large enough to sustain a vibrant commercial fishery (conch fishery). It is a large submarine plateau located approximately 70km south-west of Jamaica. Environmental assessments to identify the presence of toxic species in this area and routinely carry out test are expensive and not feasible as a management tool. A monitoring programme however is more cost effective and will not only assist in the sustainable management of all fisheries resources, but safeguard public health, decrease economic losses and fulfill requirements set by some export market such as the European Commission.