The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Friday described as "unfounded" concerns that it is dangerous to eat fish caught near the bodies of tsunami victims. "In light of the information available, there is no evidence, epidemiological or of any other nature, of an increased risk of fish- and seafood-borne illnesses in the affected regions," the Rome-based United Nations agency said. FAO issued a statement following reports that demand for fish and seafood has plunged across Asia on fears that species in the Indian Ocean are feeding off bodies washed out to sea by the December 26 seaquake. The agency also warned that eliminating fish from diets could have adverse nutritional impacts, with possible health consequences - especially for weakened tsunami survivors recovering from injuries. "The best advice is to avoid eating any fish or seafood with visible signs of spoilage, and most importantly to ensure that fish is eviscerated and well cooked before consumption," FAO said. FAO also addressed fears that one tsunami aftereffect could be an increase of biotoxin concentrations in fish. "It is conceivable that events of the tsunami amplitude could potentially lead to algal bloom and accumulation of ciguatoxin in some finfish species and biotoxins in bivalve shellfish," FAO noted. "In extreme cases, red tides or massive fish deaths would signal the risk, and fishing areas would need to be closed." However, current environmental conditions in the tsunami-affected region are unlikely to favour biotoxin upsurges, the agency concluded. FAO added that risks for fish and seafood from naturally occurring chemical contaminants stirred up by the earthquake, like heavy metals, are also unlikely.
