This database contains information on harmful events from 1987-1998. It will shortly be updated to include 2000. The information is based on yearly national reports by ICES member states. The availabe information on individual events varies greatly from event to event or country to country. Monitoring intensity, number of monitoring stations, number of samplings, stations, etc. also varies greatly and therefore there is not a direct proportionality between recorded events and actual occurrences of e.g. toxicity in a given region. Furthermore, areas with numerous recorded occurrences of HAE’s, but with an efficient monitoring and management programmes, may have very few problems and a low risk of intoxications, whereas rare HAE’s in other areas may cause severe problems and represent significant health risks.

Therefore, HAEDAT maps should thus be interpreted with caution regarding risk of intoxication by seafood products from the respective areas/regions/countries.