Ciguatera in the Gilbert Islands — COOPER 
439 
Islands That Are Free from Toxicity 
ISLAND 
MAKIN 
ABAIANG 
MAIANA 
KURIA 
TAMANA 
ARORAE 
OCEAN ISLAND 
TYPE 
Reef 
Lagoon 
Lagoon 
Reef 
Reef 
Reef 
High, reef 
RAINFALL 
107" 
83" 
62" 
55" 
48" 
56" 
63" 
ANCHORAGE 
(outside lagoon) 
Very Poor 
Poor 
Nil 
Poor 
Very Poor 
or Nil 
Poor 
Moorings only 
this ceased. No information is available, there- 
fore, as to the toxicity of any alga in the Gilbert 
Islands. 
SUMMARY 
The Gilbert Islands were surveyed for fish 
poisoning, using local Gilbertese as informants. 
The following observations were made: 
1. Ten out of 16 Gilbert Islands have fish that 
cause ciguatera. 
2. The toxic, areas are all found on the west- 
ern lee sides, and are usually confined to open 
sea reefs and anchorages in this area, seldom 
penetrating into lagoons. 
3. There is a definite evolution of toxic con- 
ditions over the years, with a few species being 
initially toxic, almost all reef fish being toxic at 
maximum, and, in the final stages, only large 
eels, certain snappers, and groupers remaining 
toxic. This cycle appears to take at least 8 years. 
4. Of the other fish in the archipelago, the 
liver of some sharks, the heads of some mullets 
and surmullets, the "castor oil fish,” and some 
sardines all have reputations for varying degrees 
of toxicity. In addition, the hawksbill turtle is 
also reported to be toxic. At least the shark’s 
liver and the hawksbill turtle produce symptoms 
somewhat similar to those of ciguatera. 
5. Of the invertebrates, only two species of 
crab and one species of gastropod have been 
said to be toxic; no other crustaceans or mol- 
luscs were considered as being toxic. 
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