Waters of the Canary Islands are host to a new species of toxic microalgae, as per researchers from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO). The microalgae having a diameter similar to a hair, thrives on macroalgae found in the rocky shores of the Canary Islands.
Scientists Santiago Fraga and Francisco Rodriguez from IEO in Vigo and experts from the Institute for Research and Food Technology, Scientific Research Council and Autonomous University of Madrid reveal that the microalgae found in the Canary Islands produces ciguatoxin and maitotoxin responsible for causing ciguatera, a non-bacterial food poisoning resulting from the consumption of fish. In the research published in the journal 'Harmful Algae,' this microalgae of the Canary Islands is termed as Gambierdiscus excentricus.
Fraga confirms outbreaks in the Canary Islands with regard to the microalgae in 2004, 2008 and 2009 respectively. Although cases of those affected by this microalgae are less, he warns people of being aware of what they are consuming.