"There is no easy test available for the toxins, and there's a lot we don't know about Gambierdiscus, the algae that produces the toxin" said Erdner, an assistant professor of Marine Science. "This project aims to understand what affects the growth and toxicity of the algae, so we can understand when and where the greatest risks from ciguatera will occur. We want to provide better information to consumers, helping them make decisions that reduce their exposure to toxic fish."

Erdner says the overall goal of the project is to help develop a mathematical model of how the algae responds to environmental conditions. Then scientists may be able to make predictions of when and where outbreaks are likely to occur.