Overview of marine poisoning

Some marine animals accumulate toxic compounds from their environment. When these animals are ingested, toxic effects or poisoning can occur1. This type of poisoning is distinct from marine envenoming and penetrating marine injuries.

Specific management advice is given for the most common causes of marine poisoning in Australia:

  • tetrodotoxin that is found in the flesh of some toad fish and related puffer fish—see Tetrodotoxin poisoning
  • ciguatoxin that accumulates in the flesh of some tropical and subtropical fish—see Ciguatoxin poisoning
  • histamine that is found in high concentrations in spoiled fish of the family Scombridae (including tuna, mackerel, kingfish, albacore, wahoo and needlefish)—see Scombroid poisoning.

Other types of marine poisoning (including shellfish poisoning) are uncommon in Australia2.

Treatment for marine poisoning is primarily supportive care, and may include:

  • resuscitation with airway, breathing and circulatory support
  • treatment of allergic symptoms
  • other symptomatic therapy.
1 In some Australian jurisdictions, cases of marine poisoning are notifiable events. Contact details for Australian state and territory government health departments and public health units are available here.Return
2 For information on other marine poisonings, see Isbister GK, Kiernan MC. Neurotoxic marine poisoning. Lancet Neurol 2005;4(4):219-28. [URL]Return