Biotoxin Monitoring

Marine biotoxins are a group of natural substances produced by microscopic marine algae (phytoplankton, including diatoms and dinoflagellates). Biotoxins can accumulate in fish or shellfish as they feed on these algae. The biotoxins are a risk to human and animal health if these shellfish are consumed.

The cultivation, harvesting and sale of bivalve molluscs are important to the Scottish economy, with particular significance to the sustainable development of rural areas of the west coast and islands. Marine phytoplankton is the food source for these filter-feeding organisms.

The Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is required, under Regulation (EC) No. 854/2004 to monitor shellfish harvesting areas around Scotland for the presence of toxins in shellfish and the occurrence of biotoxin producing phytoplankton. Fisheries are closed when necessary in order to prevent consumption of contaminated shellfish.