© UNESCO

This joint workshop on Toxic Marine Organisms (TMO) will take place in Singapore, 6-10 March 2013 in conjunction with Singapore Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) conference with the kind host of the Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore. This workshop will share recent research development on Toxic Marine Organisms and Harmful Algal Bloom in the Western Pacific region and provide WESTPAC member states with a platform of exchange information and research collaboration among research institutes
Most of Asian countries utilize seafood as one of the important protein source. Economic development and fast growing population in the Asian region have been exaggerating the demands for seafood. With this ever-increasing demand, occurrences of a poisoning caused by consumption of toxin-contaminating seafood, either conventional or new products, have been brought to the attention of the general public from time to time. Since more and more concerns have been paid to the quality and safety of these newly explored and aquaculture products, a project “Toxic marine organisms and their toxins (TMO)” aims to improve the awareness of local community on the natural biotoxins in marine organisms and its risks to human health within the Western Pacific Region through the identification of toxic marine organisms and dissemination of relevant scientific information to public. During 2010-2012, this project has been carried out mainly through workshops, as well as other associated activities in between the meetings. This joint workshop is recognized as the first studied collaboration between WESTPAC-TMO project and local government of its member states. It seeks to bring together researchers from WESTPAC region to share their experiences with Singapore local communities , with objectives to:
1. exchange knowledge and understanding on HABs, toxic marine organisms and their toxins and managements between TMO members and local member state;
2. enhance awareness in dealing with seafood poisonings caused by marine toxins;
3. strengthen regional network and collaboration in marine toxins and HABs research.