Toxic invasive pufferfish (Tetraodontidae family) along Italian coasts: Assessment of an emerging public health risk. (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guardone, Lisa; Gasperetti, Laura; Maneschi, Andrea; Ricci, Enrica; Susini, Francesca; Guidi, Alessandra; Armani, Andrea
• Is Part Of: Food control. Volume 91(2018)
• Page Start: 330
• Page End: 338
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: Lagocephalus sceleratus -- Lagocephalus lagocephalus -- Sphoeroides pachygaster -- Emerging risk -- Food safety; Food -- Quality -- Periodicals; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food handling -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Quality control -- Periodicals; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Qualité -- Contrôle -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Qualité -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Analyse -- Périodiques; Hygiène alimentaire -- Périodiques; Food -- Analysis; Food handling; Food -- Quality; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 664.07
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2018.04.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-7135

Abstract

Abstract: Several pufferfish species belonging to the Tetraodontidae family are currently present in the Mediterranean Sea. Since 2013 Lagocephalus sceleratus is increasingly reported also along Italian coasts, where other two species of less concern, Lagocephalus lagocephalus and Sphoeroides pachygaster, have also occured since a long time. This study represents one of the first attempts to sistematically describe the occurrence in the Mediterranean, and in particular along Italian coasts, of the three aforesaid species, in order to characterize an emerging public health hazard. Reports were searched in scientific articles and dedicated online databases. The following data were collected: number of specimens and type of record, geographical location and date of report, fish size, depth and type of seabed. Overall, at least 111079 individuals of the three species were found in the Mediterranean Sea, including 110237 specimens of L. sceleratus (since 2003), 126 of L. lagocephalus (1878–2017) and 716 of S. pachygaster (1979–2017). The evident differences confirm the invasive character of the toxic Lessepsian immigrant L. sceleratus, the species of main public health concern. Despite this species was recorded along Italian coasts in low numbers (0.08% of the total individuals of L. sceleratus ) and its current distribution is limited to southern regions, the picture could change rapidly. Moreover, the collected data show that most L. sceleratus specimens have a large size and are mainly caught by commercial fishing gears. These factors may increase the risk of this species entering the seafood chain with serious consequences for consumers' health. Results suggest that the presence of L. sceleratus should be strictly monitored. Institutional measures should be implemented to inform people as regards a new hazard that has the potential to affect the Italian seafood chain. Highlights: Pufferfish species are spreading in the Mediterranean Sea. L. scleratus, L. lagocephalus and S. pachygaster are also present along Italian coasts. The risk associated to the presence of these 3 species was assessed. The invasive pattern of toxic L. sceleratus poses emerging public health risks. Informative campaigns to different public categories are needed throughout Italy.