Toxic algae threatens marine environments in Indonesia

Recent research in Indonesia has revealed that mussels and clams in some of its waters are contaminated with hazardous substances from algae as a result of water pollution, according to the Jakarta Post.

There has been a vast increase in the growth of toxic algae in the region which poses hazards to marine environments as they produce substances that may cause illness or even death.

Zainal Arifin, head of the research center for oceanography (RCO) at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) commented in the Jakarta post that: "We are concerned, as harmful algae will not only affect the likes of clams, mussels and fish, but also humans."

There have been reported cases in the past of poisoning resulting from contaminated fish. There were several cases in 2004, and in 2011 people from Southeast Sulawesi experienced dizziness and vomiting after eating fish.

Concern was expressed during a workshop on seafood safety and mariculture. Experts from around the globe met to share advice and opinions on marine safety, in a conference that was co-funded by the Japan government through the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) and USAID's Indonesia Marine and Climate Support Project.

Posted by Joseph Hutton