Back in early July, I posted a warned that had been broadcast by most media markets regarding lionfish being unsafe to eat due to ciguatera.

Here is the initial post.

Shortly after, I found that some of the data may have been taken out of context, and the information skewed, so I posted an update here.

I started tracking the information trail back to the source, eventually ending up emailing Steve Otwell, PhD of the University of Florida Aquatic Food Products Lab, the point of contact I was given for the media blitz. I asked him four simple questions, and, eventually, he answered them. My initial contact was on July 10, 2012. He replied to my request within a day, but his answers to my questions didn’t arrive until September 12, 2012.

Here are the questions with his answers as he sent them:

1. From what exact location were the samples taken? Only FDA has data on sample locations but they were sampling in areas know to harbor other ciguatoxic predator fish, the so-called endemic areas
2. When were the samples taken? Assume last year; time is not a significant issue per area sampled
3. Are other species (snapper, grouper, jacks, etc) at the same reefs more or less susceptible to ciguatera? The occurrence of the ciguatera problem is area specific relative to the cause (particular dinoflagellates and involved food webs) rather than fish specific. Thus it is more prone in certain larger predators at the top of the food web in certain endemic areas
4. Has there ever been a reported case of ciguatera caused from eating lionfish in Florida? Not to my knowledge. Is it possible, yes if care and controls are not employed relative to product source. FDA has demonstrated that Lionfish from certain endemic areas could result in ciguatera

My interpretation:

1. They TARGETED ciguatera areas. Good to know, and should have been mentioned.

2 “Assume” I won’t, but I’ll let it pass. I expected a more detailed answer.

3. In short, the answer would be “yes”, or “yes, any other top level predator on a reef with ciguatera would be infected, not just lionfish”

4. Well, he IS the expert, he would know, right? In researching, I’ve not found a ciguatera case associate with lionfish anywhere.

I’ve also found this article from another worried party looking into saving their local fisheries. Please note it was written in January 2012, six months before we were warned in Florida. If it were so important, why weren’t we warned sooner? From that article:

“To date we have received no official reports of illness associated with the consumption of lionfish, but in endemic areas of ciguatera, toxins have been detected at levels exceeding FDA guidance and therefore could cause illness if consumed,” said Pat El-Hinnawy, an FDA public affairs officer.”

In sumation, I think the went looking for monsters where they knew monsters existed, skewed the data to prove they found something, and pushed it around like it was news. Justification for grant money possibly?

I will say it again, but take what I say with a grain of salt, I’m not a college professor, or a government worker specializing in these things – I’m just a guy with some common sense and basic understanding of how life works.

If ciguatera is on a reef, don’t eat any of the fish. If you would eat the snapper off of a reef, the you can eat the lionfish. If one species has it, they all can have it, and are dangerous to consume.

Otherwise, eat `em up! I know I will.

Peace,
db

My thanks for their time in answering my questions go out to :

Erick Gill
Public Information Officer
St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners

Ken Gioeli
Extension Agent III / Natural Resources
University of Florida / St. Lucie County

Steve Otwell, PhD
University of Florida