turrelle@marlab.ac.uk

Warning of Algal Toxin Events to support aquaculture in the NPP coastal zone Region

(WATER)Liz Turrell

Northern Periphery ProgrammeNorthern Periphery ProgrammePartners…

Aberdeen

Scalloway

Galway

Dunstaffnage

Tórshavn

BergenLerwick

Algal Toxin GroupsAlgal Toxin Groups

Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning Toxins

(DSP)

Dinophysis spp.

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning Toxins

(PSP)Spirolides (SPX)

Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning Toxins

(ASP)

Pseudo-nitzchia spp.

Alexandrium spp.

Lipophilic Shellfish Toxins (LSTs)(AZP, YTX, PTX)

Dinophysis spp.Protoceratium spp.Protoperidinium spp. Dinophysis spp.Protoceratium spp.

Algal Toxins and IndustryAlgal Toxins and Industry

• Associated with phytoplankton• Accumulate in filter feeding molluscs• Present a serious hazard to humans• Can cause widespread closure of shellfish harvesting areas

• EC legislation require member states to…• Monitor shellfish for toxins • Monitor water for toxin producing algae• Harvesting areas closed when (safe) regulatory limits for toxins in shellfish are exceeded

Current Monitoring MethodsCurrent Monitoring Methods

Shellfish…• Sampling of shellfish at low frequency• Sample transport to labs often difficult• Sample turnaround is slow (up to 7 days)

Water…• Phytoplankton identified to genus level only• Speciation not easily possible • Toxic and non-toxic species exist

Currently...• Low incidence of human poisoning• General trends can be observed• Occurrence of toxins in shellfish is unpredictable

Industry requires…• Rapid indication of the likelihood of algal toxin contamination• Easy to use, rapid methods for toxin testing• Prediction of harvesting closure

To…• Allow better scheduling of operational and marketing activities

Industry Requirements Industry Requirements

The WATER Project

Focuses on…• Rapid on site analysis and lab monitoring for presence of toxins in shellfish

• Training industry• Industry and labs using immunoassays

• Application of simple procedures to predictharmful phytoplankton

• SPATT • Models

Training in Rapid TestsTraining in Rapid Tests• Training in the use of toxin testing kits to industry

and local laboratory providers

• Eg…

Training in Rapid TestsTraining in Rapid Tests

Toxin Prediction - SPATTToxin Prediction - SPATT• SPATT deployed by shellfish farmers to predict toxin events…

Resin

bead

Yessotoxins

DSP toxinsPectenotoxins

SpirolidesPSP toxins

ASP toxins

Azaspiracids

Wash Elute Concentrate

ImmunoassayToxin Test

Deploy SPATT at shellfish farm

Toxin Prediction - SPATTToxin Prediction - SPATT

Yessotoxins

DSP toxinsPectenotoxins

SpirolidesPSP toxins

ASP toxins

AzaspiracidsResin

bead

Toxin Prediction - SPATTToxin Prediction - SPATT

Toxin Prediction – Model 1Toxin Prediction – Model 1

• Alexandrium (PSP) hatch out of cysts that overwinter in sediment

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

1-May 15-May 29-May 12-Jun 26-Jun 10-Jul 24-Jul

Ale

xadn

rium

Cel

ls·L

-1

ModelObserved

• Models using information on environmental factors that control hatching used to predict harmful toxic event

Alexandrium spp.

Toxin Prediction – Model 2Toxin Prediction – Model 2• Pseudo-nitzchia and Dinophysis are transported into aquaculture sites with currents

Pseudo-nitzchia spp.

Dinophysis spp.

• Models relies on local current patterns in coastal waters forced by meteorology (wind, rainfall)

• Prediction based on weather forecast

Wind index = a + b + c + d + e(daily average wind vectors, m/s)

12 11 10 9 851

52

12 11 10 9 851

52

12 11 10 9 851

52

12 11 10 9 851

52

12 11 10 9 851

52

d e

a b c

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3

Day 4 Day 5

Dissemination - SeminarsDissemination - Seminars

To…• Demonstrate developed early warning systems• Discuss results• Implement testing services at laboratories

Partners & Steering CommitteePartners & Steering CommitteeIndustry RegulatorsInstitutes and Agencies

Hvalerskjell AS

Thanks for listening!Thanks for listening!

WATER aims to assist the management of

commercial shellfish aquaculture and help the

industry pursue a successful future