Paul McNabb and Patrick Holland, Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson, New Zealand

Abstract

The New Zealand Biotoxin Monitoring programme combines regular shellfish flesh testing and phytoplankton monitoring to successfully manage shellfish harvesting and mitigate the risks associated with Harmful Algal blooms. A New Biotoxin Monitoring Programme providing data that is highly accurate, in a shorter time and without the use of mouse bioassay's is being developed for use in New Zealand. This paper will summarise progress towards implementation of a Biotoxin monitoring programme using test methods based on LCMS that can be used to provide chemical analytical data in place of bioassay screen test results. Issues discussed relate to the development and implementation of new test methods. These include funding, method validation, testing regulations, availability of analytical standards, comparison to existing tests, type of instrumentation and international cooperation.