Proceedings of the International Cyanide Detection Testing Workshop

Validation of the ISE method applied in the Philippines should be conducted by an independent
laboratory not currently involved in marine fi sh testing to resolve questions about QA/QC,
precision, and bias. This should include an examination of the sensitivity of the ISE method
for fi sh samples, with emphasis on the distillation process and the recovery of cyanide from
tissue samples. Results should be compared using at least one other recognized method. With
some discretion exercised to limit the amount of testing, the ISE method can be validated
in a relatively short time. The same cannot be said for any other method. A large amount of
research will be necessary to develop methods to detect either thiocyanate or ATCA present
in imported MAF, and to validate those methods.
Recommendation 3: Establish networks of CDT laboratories at points of export
A testing strategy based in export countries should focus on airport “choke points” in order
to sample shipments before export. This approach would require fewer testing stations and
would create better monitored and controlled testing conditions and procedures. This test
must be rapid, credible, standard for all countries involved in the marine aquarium fi sh trade,
and legally defensible, and it must utilize independently collected (e.g., blind) samples from
shipments. It must also be able to accurately detect cyanide 5 to 14 days after the fi sh are
exposed, as the time for transport to landing area and then landing area to export point
frequently falls within this range. These networks should defi ne and oversee their internal
training and quality assurance programs and work with similar networks in other jurisdictions
to establish and support an independent profi ciency testing program.
Existing licensing schemes for exporting aquarium fi sh are often negligible, lax, and insuffi cient
for impeding the use of poisons. Currently there are no offi cial cyanide testing requirements
in Indonesia, Vietnam, or the Philippines. It would be desirable to require that an export
license and/or permit be linked to standards of compliance, incorporating poison-free capture
and assent to regular cyanide detection testing. If possible, the export license should involve
a suitable fee that would help underwrite the costs of testing and allow it to become selffi
nancing (see Recommendation 6).
Recommendation 4: Obtain funding for establishment and maintenance of CDT
networks in exporting countries
Funding sources should be explored to support the creation of CDT laboratory networks in
the exporting countries (Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia) where cyanide fi shing
is most prevalent. Potential funding agencies include the World Bank, Asian Development
Bank, or international NGOs.
Recommendation 5: Establish Training, Quality Assurance and Profi ciency Programs
for CDT labs and chemists
Training, quality assurance, and profi ciency programs need to be implemented at cyanide
testing laboratories. Many of the CDT procedures require extensive training and should be
maintained to ensure performance consistency and accurate test results. A training program
must be developed employing both didactic and hands-on training that develops a demonstrated
acceptable level of performance, as defi ned by the performance characteristics of the specifi c
test and the needs of the analysis. A quality assurance program should be based on ISO
5