RI DEM, anglers association warn of toxic puffer fish caught locally - The Providence Journal

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association are warning about a potentially deadly catch fishermen are increasingly hauling out of Rhode Island waters.

They say they're receiving "increased reports" of anglers catching smooth puffer fish, which contain toxins that are deadlier than cyanide and have no known antidotes, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

"This member of the puffer family is a serious threat to your health if not cleaned properly," the DEM and anglers group said in a joint press release. "The neurotoxins in puffers responsible for illness and death are Tetrodotoxin and Saxitoxin, which adversely affect the human central nervous system."

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Toxins can be found in all organs of the fish, including intestines and skin, according to the DEM and anglers group.

Anglers that catch smooth puffers are advised to carefully take the fish off the hook and release it. Don't even use the fish for bait or chum, they say.

New England is within the range of smooth puffers, although the fish are more common in southern waters, according to the DEM and anglers.

Another type of puffer fish, the northern puffer, is more common in Rhode Island waters.

"Unlike many other pufferfish species, the flesh of the northern puffer is not poisonous, however, some scientists believe there are low-level toxins in the skin and organs. Anglers are advised to thoroughly clean the Northern puffer of all skin and viscera before eating," the DEM and angler association said.

jperry@providencejournal.com

(401) 277-7614

On Twitter: @jgregoryperry

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