The status of phycotoxin research in Canada

Management of the Canadian wild shellfish industry is the responsibility of the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). However, another department, Health Canada, is responsible for food safety, and sets the regulatory levels for the acceptable concentration of toxins in food. The Inspection Directorate of DFO monitors shellfish for the presence of phycotoxins of concern in Canada. DFO also has a phycotoxins research program to aid in the management of the shellfish industry and fin fish aquaculture. Additional phycotoxin research is conducted in several universities, the Institute for Marine Biosciences, and by a number of provincial departments of fisheries. Canada has been monitoring shellfish for the presence of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxin since 1943. The Association of Analytical Chemist mouse bioassay has been the only approved detection method for PSP toxin used in Canada since that time.