Ciguatera in Hawaiʻi
What Spearfishers Need to Know

The reason we never eat roi — species-by-species risk
What is ciguatera? Ciguatera is a foodborne illness caused by natural toxins that build up in reef fish. Microscopic organisms on the reef produce the toxin; small fish eat them, bigger predators eat the small fish, and the toxin concentrates up the food chain. It has no taste or smell, is not destroyed by cooking or freezing, and there is no reliable way to test a fish in the field. Risk is highest in large, older, predatory reef fish.

Why we never eat roi

Roi (peacock grouper) were introduced to Hawaiʻi in the 1950s as a food fish — and the plan backfired partly because roi became one of the species most associated with ciguatera cases in Hawaiʻi. At Top Shot Spearfishing, roi is the one fish we hunt but never eat: every roi we remove protects the reef, and every one is processed into organic fertilizer through our Reef-to-Root program instead of reaching a plate.

Risk by species

SpeciesRiskOur practice
Roi
Peacock Grouper		 MEDIUMWe never eat roi — removal only, processed into fertilizer.
To‘au
Blacktail Snapper		 LOW
Ta'ape
Bluestripe Snapper		 LOW
Uku
Gray Snapper / Green Jobfish		 LOW
Umaumalei
Orangespine Unicornfish		 LOW
Uhu
Parrotfish		 LOW
Kumu
Whitesaddle Goatfish		 LOW
'Ōmilu
Bluefin Trevally		 LOW
Ulua
Giant Trevally		 MEDIUM
Kahala
Amberjack / Yellowtail		 HIGHAvoid large individuals (20 lbs+); risk rises with size and age.
'Ono
Wahoo		 LOW
Mahi-Mahi
Dolphinfish		 LOW
If you suspect ciguatera poisoning (numbness, tingling, hot/cold reversal, nausea after eating reef fish): seek medical care and call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Risk levels above reflect guide experience and published Hawaiʻi health guidance — they are not a guarantee for any individual fish. Consult the Hawaiʻi Department of Health for current advisories.