Don't eat fish trapped in sargassum

The Department of Marine Resources and Fisheries on Friday advised the public that fish and other marine species brought ashore by the influx of sargassum on beaches, are deemed unsafe for human consumption.

Reports and videos circulating on social media indicate that people have been collecting fish and other marine species that have become stranded in the vast bed of seaweed. The large sargassum mass reached Tobago on Wednesday and took over Rockly Bay, Lambeau and other areas.

The fish and other species trapped in the sargassum are observed to be in glaring distress and some, seemingly dead.

The public is warned that consumption of marine species found in the sargassum poses a great risk to their health.

The department said the fish may have eaten toxic/poisonous substances (ciguatera toxins, copper poisoning etc); may have died longer than visibly telling and may have accumulated high levels of pathogenic bacteria which thrive well in sargassum, especially at high temperatures; may have high levels of toxic build-up in muscles owing to anoxia and extended periods of stress.

For further information, the public can call the Department of Marine Resources and Fisheries at 639-4354.