Laboratories Division
The Laboratories Division is involved in
long-term monitoring of coastal water quality in terms of physico-chemical and
microbiological parameters. The division is also involved in the long term
monitoring of harmful marine microalgae at established sites, detection of
ciguatoxin in fish and conducting awareness campaigns on toxic fish present in
Mauritian waters. The division comprises
three laboratories, namely the Marine Chemistry, Marine Microbiology and Fish
Toxicity laboratories.
The division embarked in the process of
accreditation of its laboratories to MS ISO/IEC 17025 Standard and a laboratory
quality management system has been implemented since 2012. The Marine Chemistry
Laboratory has been accredited for two test parameters since August 2015 by the
Mauritius Accreditation Services (MAURITAS). The Accreditation certificate can
be acceded at http://www.mauritas.org/files/T025.pdf. Extension of the scope of
accreditation to other test parameters is underway.
Goal
(i) Monitor coastal water quality to ensure
compliance with the Guidelines for coastal water quality (1999) for
categories Conservation, Recreation, Fisheries and Industrial.
(ii) Safeguard public from ciguatera fish
poisoning.
(iii) Management of harmful algal
blooms.
(iv) Accreditation of the laboratories to
demonstrate technical competency.
Objectives
·
To monitor
coastal water quality in terms of physico-chemical parameters;
·
To monitor
levels of coliform bacteria at public beaches;
·
To monitor
seawater quality at sensitive habitats such marine parks,
sewage outfalls and coastal development sites;
·
To monitor
density of harmful marine microalgae;
·
To detect
ciguatoxin in fish; and
·
To investigate
cases of marine pollution, fish mortality and harmful algal bloom.
Activities
· Long term monitoring of coastal water
quality in terms of physico-chemical parameters at established sites to study
the trends in water quality characteristics;
· Long term monitoring of coliform bacteria
at public beaches;
· Conduct test on fish samples to detect
presence of ciguatoxin;
· Screen fish deemed to cause ciguatera fish
poisoning;
· Long term monitoring of harmful marine
microalgae in the lagoon at established sites;
· Investigate cases of marine pollution, fish
mortality and algal blooms;
· Implement laboratory quality management
system according to MS ISO/IEC 17025 Standards.
Physico-chemical parameters
monitored
·
pH,
·
sea surface temperature,
·
Salinity,
·
Dissolved oxygen,
·
Chemical Oxygen Demand,
·
Nitrate-nitrogen,
·
Phosphate,
·
Trace metals.
Microbiological parameters monitored
·
Total
coliform
·
Faecal
coliform
Contact
Details:
Divisional
Scientific Officer
Laboratories
Division
Albion Fisheries
Research Centre
Albion
Petite Rivière
MAURITIUS
Tel.:
+(230) 238 4100
+(230) 238 4829
+(230) 238 4744
Fax:
+(230) 238 4184
Annexes:
