Technical Compilation of Biotoxins Monitoring in ASEAN Region 2015-2017

Abstract

The wholesomeness of fish for food safety and food quality has always been a primary concern for many in the fisheries sector in the region. Fish has always been a critical source of protein for the people in the Southeast Asia region. Sadly, we have seen an increase in number of cases of human poisoning from the consumption of contaminated shellfish and fish in the region and around the world. In view of the fact that marine biotoxins pose a significant and increasing threat to human health in the region, monitoring of seafood for toxicity is henceforth an important step in managing the risk of marine biotoxins.

For this reason, the SEAFDEC/MFRD programmes through the Post-Harvest Technology Centre of Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore, implemented the project “Chemical and Drug Residues in Fish and Fish Products in Southeast Asia – Biotoxins Monitoring and Harmful Algae Blooms in the ASEAN region” from 2009 to 2019 to expand and improve initiatives in monitoring, detecting and sharing of information on marine biotoxins in order to reduce the public health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated shellfish and fish.

This Technical Compilation, which is the final output of the project, would be beneficial to policy makers, technologists and scientists as well as regulatory personnel in the fisheries sector. I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the fisheries officers in the Member Countries and the officers of MFRD for their hard work and great effort in making this Technical Compilation possible.

In addition, I would like to thank the Government of Japan for funding this project under the Japanese Trust Fund Program. I am sure this compilation would be a useful guide for the fisheries trade and industry in ensuring safe and quality seafood for the Southeast Asian region.