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Phytoplankton monitoring in New Zealand The seafood industry and Ministry of Health currently use phytoplankton monitorin as a predictor of marine biotoxins. In some areas the phytoplankton are also used with shellfish flesh testing to determine closures. In others phytoplankton replace flesh tests, but with monthly flesh tests audits. The standard phytoplankton monitoring method involves identifying toxic species in a water sample and counting them. It is labour intensive and requires expert training in the recognition of the critical algae. DNA probes offer an exciting new alternative. Paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) causes paralysis in extreme cases. It has been detected in shellfish throughout New Zealand on numerous occasions, although usually at very low levels. Chris Scholin has recently provided the Cawthron Institute with probes for the PSP-causing micro-algai, the Alexandriums. As all Alexandriums are potentially toxic, a genus probe that picks up all species in that group has been developed, as well as a species-specific probe for A. minutum.
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