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TITUSVILLE - State wildlife officials want a permanent ban on taking puffer fish from the Indian River because of concerns that the once-edible animal has turned toxic.
If the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approves, catching and keeping the fish would be a second-degree misdemeanor carrying a $500 fine and as much as 60 days in jail.
Counties affected under the ban would be Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin.
"The point is not to charge people, it's to deter them," commission spokeswoman Joy Hill said. "Usually these rules are set up to protect or manage a species, but in this case, we're trying to protect people."
Since 2002, at least 28 people, including five so far this year, have fallen ill after eating puffer fish, most of which were caught from a pier in Titusville. The most recent case occurred in May.
Symptoms included tingling in their lips and tongues that spread to their faces, arms and legs. They victims then became drowsy and nauseated. One had to be placed on a ventilator for days.
Scientists at the Florida Marine Research Institute in St. Petersburg say the sickness is caused by a naturally occurring toxin called saxitoxin that's usually associated with shellfish. But the scientists cannot explain why a once-harmless fish has suddenly become poisonous.
In April 2002, the state issued a temporary ban that is slated to expire in October, Hill said.
The commission is scheduled to consider the ban Wednesday at its meeting in Marco Island.