Choo P. S., Fisheries Research Institute, 11960 Batu Maung, Penang, Malaysia

Abstract

In 1999, the world’s seafood (fish, crustaceans, molluscs) production reached 106.8 million mt, with 92.9 million mt derived from capture fisheries and 13.9 million mt from marine/brackishwater aquaculture. Out of the total seafood production, mollusc comprised 13.6 million mt, of which 3.4 million mt (25.2%) were from capture fisheries. Seafood is one of the most highly traded commodities in the world market, and experienced a doubling of trade volume between 1984 and 1994. For 1999, the world’s total value of seafood imports was US$57,492,816,000, with the international exports recording a value of US$52,882,533,000. Internationally, Japan ranked first in seafood imports, with Thailand taking pole position in seafood exports in 1999. With globalisation, seafood trade will be subjected to more stringent regulation and control. Presently, most countries are free to impose their own regulations concerning seafood imports for food safety reasons. Regulations imposed on Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) toxin contamination of seafood have always been contentious issues. Even though an HAB occurrence frequently places molluscs at greater risk of HAB toxin contamination, very often, importing countries choose the safer option by imposing a total ban on all seafood products from the HAB affected country. This action is needless and irrational, and has adverse economic impacts. The need for standardization of regulatory mechanism in relation to seafood trade and training for regulatory authorities is also discussed.

Paper presented in the Second International Conference on Harmful Algae Management and Mitigation, 12-16 November 2001 Qingdao, China