Chapter 2
Evolution of PSP Toxicity in Shellfish
from the Beagle Channel (Tierra del Fuego,
Argentina): An Overview
Alejandra Beatriz Goya and Santiago Maldonado
Introduction
The Beagle Channel is an interoceanic passage located in the southernmost region
of South America, spanning over 280 km with a general east–west direction,
connecting the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans (Fig. 2.1). The international
boundary between Chile and Argentina goes almost through the centre of the
channel. The biggest settlement on the channel is Ushuaia in Argentina followed
by Puerto Williams in Chile, two of the southernmost settlements of the world.
Shellfish harvesting activities for human consumption have been carried out for
many years in this area. The existence of accessible natural beds (from intertidal and
subtidal zones) and the quality of the molluscs harvested have been the main factors
for the exploitation of this resource by fishermen. The first experience with culture
of mussels (Mytilus edulis chilensis) in Argentinean waters of the Channel began
in the early 1990s with excellent results. In recent years the number of production
units has been increasing, using raft culture or long-line culture systems. Mussel
production in the Beagle Channel can be considered as the southernmost production
sites in the world (Ministerio de Agricultura).
Monitoring of marine biotoxins in molluscs is an essential Federal requirement
before marketing (Reglamento de Inspecci´ on de Productos). PSP monitoring was
implemented in Argentina in 1980, with the first recorded PSP outbreak occurring off the Atlantic coast of Peninsula Valdes (Elbusto et al. 1981) due to an
A.B. Goya ()
Marine Biotoxin Department, Mar del Plata Regional Laboratory, Agri-food Health and Quality
National Service (SENASA), Aviso Dorrego y V´ ıctimas del ’46. Banquina Puerto, Mar del Plata
CP 7600, Argentina
e-mail: agoya@senasa.gov.ar; abgoya@gmail.com
S. Maldonado
Environmental Laboratory, Office of the Secretary of Sustainable Development and Environment,
Ushuaia, Argentina
G. Sauv´ e (ed.), Molluscan Shellfish Safety, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-6588-7 2,
© Springer ScienceCBusiness Media Dordrecht 2014
15
Evolution of PSP Toxicity in Shellfish
from the Beagle Channel (Tierra del Fuego,
Argentina): An Overview
Alejandra Beatriz Goya and Santiago Maldonado
Introduction
The Beagle Channel is an interoceanic passage located in the southernmost region
of South America, spanning over 280 km with a general east–west direction,
connecting the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans (Fig. 2.1). The international
boundary between Chile and Argentina goes almost through the centre of the
channel. The biggest settlement on the channel is Ushuaia in Argentina followed
by Puerto Williams in Chile, two of the southernmost settlements of the world.
Shellfish harvesting activities for human consumption have been carried out for
many years in this area. The existence of accessible natural beds (from intertidal and
subtidal zones) and the quality of the molluscs harvested have been the main factors
for the exploitation of this resource by fishermen. The first experience with culture
of mussels (Mytilus edulis chilensis) in Argentinean waters of the Channel began
in the early 1990s with excellent results. In recent years the number of production
units has been increasing, using raft culture or long-line culture systems. Mussel
production in the Beagle Channel can be considered as the southernmost production
sites in the world (Ministerio de Agricultura).
Monitoring of marine biotoxins in molluscs is an essential Federal requirement
before marketing (Reglamento de Inspecci´ on de Productos). PSP monitoring was
implemented in Argentina in 1980, with the first recorded PSP outbreak occurring off the Atlantic coast of Peninsula Valdes (Elbusto et al. 1981) due to an
A.B. Goya ()
Marine Biotoxin Department, Mar del Plata Regional Laboratory, Agri-food Health and Quality
National Service (SENASA), Aviso Dorrego y V´ ıctimas del ’46. Banquina Puerto, Mar del Plata
CP 7600, Argentina
e-mail: agoya@senasa.gov.ar; abgoya@gmail.com
S. Maldonado
Environmental Laboratory, Office of the Secretary of Sustainable Development and Environment,
Ushuaia, Argentina
G. Sauv´ e (ed.), Molluscan Shellfish Safety, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-6588-7 2,
© Springer ScienceCBusiness Media Dordrecht 2014
15