Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP), the most frequent marine food intoxications reported in the world, is the cause of major health and economic problems in communities whose nutrition depends heavily on seafood resources.
With a mean annual incidence of 2-4 cases per thousand population, French Polynesia is regarded as a hot spot of CFP. The impetus for extensive researches initiated in our Institute in the 1960's has lead to important advances in our understanding of local CFP events. Practical applications of this research effort are now effective through the implementation of large scale-risk assessment campaigns for the benefit of island populations, as illustrated by the study conducted from April 2007 to May 2008 in Raivavae (Australes archipelago).
On the spot, our objectives were to list poisoning incidents resulting from seafood consumption, study Gambierdiscus abundance and distribution, assess toxicity of fish from various fishing areas, and ensure local information. Among the most significant benefits of this study are: evidence for a new source of CFP-related toxins, namely marine benthic cyanobacteria; and subsequent transfer to invertebrates (giant clams); linkage between the history of environmental aggressions of Raivavae lagoon and CFP occurrence; increased awareness by locals of potentially toxic seafood resources, species and fishing areas; recommendations for prevention of ciguatera at an individual level and with local authorities; reactivation of the marine food poisoning reporting program and update of the questionnaires used, with medical structures of French Polynesia.
Similar pilot studies are currently in progress in other CFP-endemic islands.

Workshop international Ciguatéra et biotoxines associées (Nouméa, 27-31 octobre 2008)