Science

Global Warming Means More Seafood Poisoning

Rising sea temperatures have set off a ecological cascade whose final step is a particularly painful — and sometimes lethal — form of seafood poisoning, scientists say. The illness, called ciguatera, is caused when people eat fish that feed on other, smaller fish that eat toxin-producing algae. (Like eagles and DDT, the top animal in […]

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Rising sea temperatures have set off a ecological cascade whose final step is a particularly painful -- and sometimes lethal -- form of seafood poisoning, scientists say.

The illness, called ciguatera, is caused when people eat fish that feed on other, smaller fish that eat toxin-producing algae. (Like eagles and DDT, the top animal in the food chain is where these chemicals accumulate.) As water warms, algae flourish; so do algae-eating fish. Their predators end up with with bellies full of poison. Not a problem for them, but a potentially big problem after dinner.

Bowls of piping hot barracuda soup were the much-anticipated treat when the Roa family gathered for a casual and relaxing Sunday meal.

Within hours, all six fell deathly ill. So did two dozen others from the same neighborhood. Some complained of body-wide numbness. Others had weakness in their legs. Several couldn't speak or even open their mouths.

"I was scared. I really thought I was going to die," said Dabby Roa,
21, a student who suffered numbness in his head, tingling in his hands and had trouble breathing.

Seafood Poisoning Rises With Warming [Associated Press]