Last Thursday, NIFS hosted the Korea-Japan Joint Worksop under the theme of ‘shellfish toxins and food safety’ for securing the safety of fisheries products. 

In the workshop were seven subject presentations including △the development of certified reference material for shellfish toxins and technology to utilize the material, △the test for field application of rapid diagnosis kit, △the prediction model of plankton causing shellfish toxins, etc. Through the subject presentation, the participants shared mutual current state of research and explored sustainable joint countermeasures. 

From the Japanese side, for the presentation and discussion, three researchers including Dr. Watanabe at the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency (FRA) and professor Toshiyuki Suzuki at Kitasato University joined the event. 

The both sides also plan to have a Korea-Japan researcher meeting every other year for the ongoing joint research and information exchanges between the two countries.

As the areas where marine toxins occur expand and when they occur and how long they persist become irregular under the effect of climate change, there is an emerging need for advancing the relevant analysis tools and introducing the rapid diagnosis kit into the sites. 

The president of NIFS (Mr. Choi Yong-seok) said, “The Korea-Japan Joint Workshop laid the foundation for information exchanges on shellfish toxins and seafood safety and partnership for joint response to common issues.”