We are at Taboo. The fish we caught is unidentified and Rick doesn’t want me to get mad fish disease so he won’t serve the fish to me. He is willing to go crazy himself…but I have to fly air canada and they can’t handle a neurotoxin afflicted sailor. There is a chance of the affliction from reef fish or ‘reefers’ ciguartera poisoning.
What is ciguatera poisoning?
Ciguatera is a type of food poisoning. The ciguatera toxin may be found in large reef fish, most commonly barracuda, grouper, red snapper, eel, amberjack, sea bass, and Spanish mackerel. These fish live in coral reef waters between latitudes of 35 degrees south to 35 degrees north, corresponding to the area located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. These geographic lines ring the earth north and south of the equator and make up the tropics. These areas include the Caribbean Sea, Hawaii, and coastal Central America.
Ciguatera toxin tends to accumulate in predator fish, such as the barracuda and other carnivorous reef fish, because they eat other fish that consume toxin-producing algae (dinoflagellates) that live in coral reef waters.
Ciguatera toxin is harmless to fish but poisonous to humans. The toxin is odorless and tasteless, and it is heat-resistant, so cooking does not destroy the toxin. Eating ciguatera-contaminated tropical or subtropical fish poisons the person who eats it.
So, guess what I will get the pork tenderloin….tomorrow’s special is my dinner today JEEZUZ.
We went to shore here at Taboo and things have changed a bit. There is a sign that says that swimming in the bubbling pool is not permitted. They still want you to swim and people want to swim but since a few wayward tourists have drowned they have to have a disclaimer. Wait for the pictures. There is a throwing buoy and bones on the shore much like cow wreck beach.
We met an American who said only every twelfth wave made bubbles. So, I suggested he write a sternly worded letter to the Tourism BVI.
On shore the bar is similar but quieter to foxy’s. Nice anchorage but it could be affected by swells.
When you see the pictures you will see the painted cautions on the boulders that even the trees are poisonous…with no instructions as to how they are poisonous. Climbing? Apparently a Manchineel tree or something like that. Standing under? Building a treehouse? JEEZUZ. Apparently it sucks you in with sweet fruit but the bark is worse than its fruit??
Still hunting for the perfect gift for Mary Lynn…so I bought myself a very nice shirt.
Latah