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Shellfish contamination with marine biotoxins in Portugal and spring tides: a dangerous health coincidence

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Abstract

Bivalve molluscs can acquire marine biotoxins by filter-feeding upon certain toxin-producing microalgae. The two most common syndromes observed in temperate coastal waters have been diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) and paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). While DSP is a non-fatal gastrointestinal syndrome, PSP is a neurological syndrome which can lead to death by respiratory paralysis in high intoxication scenarios. In Portugal, the presence of both DSP and PSP toxins leads to recurrent seasonal bans of bivalve harvesting. On a few occasions, the bans were not placed in time, not properly disseminated to the public or were disregarded by recreational harvesters. Several cases of poisonings have been studied in collaboration between health authorities and the laboratory in charge of the biotoxin monitoring programme. Some of the outbreaks have even called the attention of the local media. In several of these recorded cases, a common trait has emerged throughout the years: bivalve harvest had often been done during very low tides attributed to either new or full moons. These tides expose intertidal bivalves more widely, increase harvesting time, and allow picking of larger-sized specimens. In some occasions, the consumers were extremely unfortunate because a noxious coincidence had occurred: larger-sized specimens were available but had attained the highest toxin content of the toxic season. This review alerts that despite costly monitoring programmes have been perfected through the years, human poisonings still take place due to the rapid increase in toxin levels and/or disrespect of harvest bans.

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks to the teams of the current National Bivalve Monitoring System (SNMB) involved throughout the year in field sampling and laboratory analysis. Also to retired or deceased colleagues from the IPMA’s Department of the Sea and Marine Resources (DMRM), who have greatly contributed to this ongoing effort of more than three decades. The SNMB has been co-financed by the EU Fisheries Operational Programme 2020 (SNMB-Monitor I and SNMB-Monitor II), Fisheries Operational Programme 2007–2013 and Mare 2000–2006, among others. This work would not have been possible without fruitful interaction with several members of the National Health Service. The author wants to remember in particular Dra. Valentina Tavares de Sousa; Dra. Ana Correia and Dra. Alice Maia; Dr. Mamede de Carvalho and Tiago Mestre; Dr. Jorge Nunes and Dr. Eugénio Cordeiro; Dr. Miguel Grunho and Dra. Isabel Lopes de Carvalho. External reviewing also provided helpful comments for improving the manuscript.

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  1. National Reference Laboratory for Marine Biotoxins, Sea and Marine Resources Department, The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA, IP), R. Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho, 6, 1495-165, Algés, Portugal

    Paulo Vale

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Vale, P. Shellfish contamination with marine biotoxins in Portugal and spring tides: a dangerous health coincidence. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 41143–41156 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10389-9

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