Information included on ciguatera in other parts of the world should also be useful for yachtsmen cruising the topics where ciguatera and other fish poisonings exist. In addition, a brief resume of other types of seafood poisoning is presented to inform individuals of the existence of other common seafood poisons. Pufferfish poison is caused by the chemical compound called tetrodotoxin found in fish of the order Tetradontoidea and certain crustacean. Recent studies suggest the actual origin may be bacteria. A person with scombroid poisoning will show clinical symptoms characteristic of histamine release in allergies.
Scombroid poisoning is caused by poor and inadequate refrigeration of the fish.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning is associated with dinoflagellates producing gonyautoxins, saxitoxin and closely related congeners. Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning was first reported from Japan and the toxin isolated from dinoflagellates in the genus called Prorocentrum and the sponge Halichondria okadai . The toxin is called dinophysistoxin 1, a relative of okadaic acid. Okadaic acid causes gastrointestinal symptoms similar to those shown for ciguatera poisoning. This monograph emphasizes the issue of ciguatera poisoning, the major cause of seafood poisoning and particularly affecting the fishes in the State of Hawaii.