|
Dudes, it's called bioaccumulation -- the buildup of toxins up the food chain. Red tides can cause respiratory issues for people, kinda like allergies -- especially irritated by boat propellors dispersing particles into the air. Zacs is right, the toxins tend to build up in organs, not so much the flesh of fish. Smaller, planktivorous fish, like sand eels, even though they are finfish, are more likely to build up high levels of the red tide dinoflagellates and/or their toxin. Birds are usually the first ones to kick it from serious red tides -- kind of the canaries in the mine shaft -- since they're relatively high on the food chain. The state of Maine suggests that people who aren't pregnant or rugrats can safely eat 2 to 3 meals of striper a month, taking into account that the bigger the fish, the more toxin may have built up. I guess I should use the same disclaimer -- If you croak, don't blame me.
|