what is ciguatera?
ciguatera is a neurological toxin that can result in serious disease. it’s produced by microscopic dinoflagellate algae and passes up the food chain. it’s eaten by reef fish, which in turn is eaten by larger fish, which is eaten by larger carnivorous fish. each step making the toxin more potent. a lot of fish have ciguatera in hawaii and around the world so if somebody gives you fish, know what you are eating. if you get sick from cigateria, it could lead you to the hospital. in fact, over 60,000 people get ciguatera poisoning each year, world wide…
remember this GT i speared? well, when ever i spear a big GT, i have my friend Tat’s test it for ciguatera. the test kit is really expensive but so is going to the hospital. lucky i had this one tested because i almost gave it to my nephews. it ended up testing positive!!! yeah, everybody would have gotten sick!!! good thing….. what happened to it? i threw it in the ala wai to feed to the crabs….
i had to go back a few days later and get another one just to see. i checked the hole and once again, there were so many in the hole. some monsters!!! i waited for a smaller one because it’s less chance of getting ciguatera. I’ll let you know how this one tested….
*anyway, please eat safe. if you don’t know what your eating is safe, don’t eat it. ciguatera is no joke and can lead to death. there are many fishes in the oceans around the world with this toxin. luckily, i know which kind are more prone to have it so i don’t spear them. hope it doesn’t end up on your dinner table…
