turrelle@marlab.ac.uk

1. Warning of Algal Toxin Events to support aquaculture in the NPP coastal zone Region (WATER)Liz Turrell turrelle@marlab.ac.uk

2. Aberdeen Northern Periphery Programme Partners… Tórshavn Lerwick Scalloway Bergen Dunstaffnage Galway

3. Algal Toxin Groups Alexandrium spp. Pseudo-nitzchia spp. Dinophysis spp. Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning Toxins (PSP) Spirolides (SPX) Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning Toxins (DSP) Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning Toxins (ASP) Protoperidinium spp. Protoceratium spp. Dinophysis spp. Dinophysis spp. Protoceratium spp. Lipophilic Shellfish Toxins (LSTs) (AZP, YTX, PTX)

4. Algal Toxins and Industry • Associated with phytoplankton • Accumulate in filter feeding molluscs • Present a serious hazard to humans • Can cause widespread closure of shellfish harvesting areas • EC legislation require member states to… • Monitor shellfish for toxins • Monitor water for toxin producing algae • Harvesting areas closed when (safe) regulatory limits for toxins in shellfish are exceeded

5. Current Monitoring Methods Shellfish… • Sampling of shellfish at low frequency • Sample transport to labs often difficult • Sample turnaround is slow (up to 7 days) Water… • Phytoplankton identified to genus level only • Speciation not easily possible • Toxic and non-toxic species exist

6. Industry Requirements • Currently... • Low incidence of human poisoning • General trends can be observed • Occurrence of toxins in shellfish is unpredictable • Industry requires… • Rapid indication of the likelihood of algal toxin contamination • Easy to use, rapid methods for toxin testing • Prediction of harvesting closure • To… • Allow better scheduling of operational and marketing activities

7. The WATER Project Focuses on… • Rapid on site analysis and lab monitoring for presence of toxins in shellfish • Training industry • Industry and labs using immunoassays • Application of simple procedures to predict harmful phytoplankton • SPATT • Models

8. Training in Rapid Tests • Training in the use of toxin testing kits to industry and local laboratory providers • Eg…

9. Training in Rapid Tests

10. DSP toxins Pectenotoxins Azaspiracids Yessotoxins ASP toxins Spirolides PSP toxins Toxin Prediction - SPATT • SPATT deployed by shellfish farmers to predict toxin events… Resin bead

11. DSP toxins Pectenotoxins Yessotoxins Azaspiracids Resin bead ASP toxins Spirolides PSP toxins Toxin Prediction - SPATT Elute Wash Concentrate Immunoassay Toxin Test Deploy SPATT at shellfish farm

12. Toxin Prediction - SPATT Fig. 2 Fig. 2 Fig. 2 April 2005 March 2006 April 2005 March 2006 April 2005 March 2006 April 2005 March 2006 April 2005 March 2006 April 2005 March 2006 March 2006 April 2005 March 2006 April 2005 March 2006 April 2005

13. 60,000 Model Observed 50,000 40,000 -1 30,000 Alexadnrium Cells·L 20,000 10,000 0 1-May 15-May 29-May 12-Jun 26-Jun 10-Jul 24-Jul Toxin Prediction – Model 1 Alexandrium spp. • Alexandrium (PSP) hatch out of cysts that overwinter in sediment • Models using information on environmental factors that control hatching used to predict harmful toxic event

14. Wind index = a + b + c + d + e • (daily average wind vectors, m/s) Toxin Prediction – Model 2 Pseudo-nitzchia spp. • Pseudo-nitzchia and Dinophysis are transported into aquaculture sites with currents Dinophysis spp. • Models relies on local current patterns in coastal waters forced by meteorology (wind, rainfall) • Prediction based on weather forecast

15. Dissemination - Seminars • To… • Demonstrate developed early warning systems • Discuss results • Implement testing services at laboratories

16. Hvalerskjell AS Partners & Steering Committee Institutes and Agencies Industry Regulators

17. Thanks for listening! WATER aims to assist the management of commercial shellfish aquaculture and help the industry pursue a successful future