Dear Editor,

I was very interested to read your article which was based on work we carried out a number of years ago. We feel it is important that the safety aspects of handling fish under the conditions described in the work are widely publicised.

If readers would like a more detailed account of the work carried out they will find it in: James, S.J., James, C , Jones, S & Swain, M.J. 2000 Toxin production in fishing vessels Institute of Chemical Engineering Food & Drink 2000 Processing solutions for innovative products, Institution of Chemical Engineers, UK, ISBN 0 85295 438 7 121-124.

We would also be very interested in becoming involved in any further work that would ensure that further occurrences of the problem and the subsequent loss of life and suffering are eliminated.

Stephen J James

(Director FRPERC)

University of Bristol