Permit· Nuku Hiva· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Ciguatera Warning Hatiheu and Anaho
8° 49.5′ S · 140° 3.8′ W · approximate
Ciguatera fish poisoning is reported as extremely prevalent in Hatiheu and Anaho bays, and locals call Anaho the worst place in the Marquesas for it.
Practical
Position approx: plotted at the Anaho anchorage (Sugar Shack, Dec 2019: 08°49.46'S 140°03.76'W). Reports: April 2019, Yvonne of Hatiheu said even shellfish are affected and only octopus is safe; Aug 2018, a crew got ciguatera after spearing a fish on Anaho's SE reef, and locals advised eating no fish caught in the bay, even pelagics. The toxin cannot be cooked, frozen or tasted out, and there is no specific treatment. Avoid reef fish, barracuda and fish heads, livers and roe everywhere in the Marquesas. The official brief (2023) also advises against eating fish caught in Anaho Bay because of ciguatera, and Kandu (2016) said not to eat any fish caught there.
Best for
Staying healthy on the north coast