Plymouth University staff saying the buoy will boost the fishing economy

Experts at a South West university have developed new technology which could dramatically cut the number of people poisoned by contaminated shellfish.

Staff at the University of Plymouth have produced a unique microscope to detect harmful species of algae which can cause food poisoning if infected shellfish are eaten.

The Harmful Algae Blooms (HAB) Buoy is a microscope coupled with software which is programmed to recognise certain natural objects.

It is hoped the microscope will be developed further so that it can record everything in a filtered seawater sample.

Toxins accumulate

The project has been funded by the European Union and it is hoped it will reduce the impact toxic algae has on shell fisheries across Europe.

Toxins which are produced by algae can accumulate in shellfish and are not destroyed by cooking.

Shellfish found to be infected can be rejected by fishermen and sellers.

Researchers hope to expand the buoy's capabilities so that specimens of algae and fish can be further analysed and labelled.

The label and an image of the specimen could then be sent via the internet to shellfishery staff and government health laboratories.

Staff at the university say the buoy will improve the safety of shellfish, which will make an important contribution to the local fishing economy.