Implications of insecticide-treated mosquito net fishing in lower income countries

David A. Larsen, Joseph Makaure, Sadie J. Ryan, Donald Stewart, Adrianne Traub, Rick Welsh, Deirdre H. Love, Joseph H. Bisesi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) are highly effective for the control of malaria. Yet widely distributed ITNs have been repur-posed as fishing nets throughout the world. OBJECTIVES: Herein we present a synthesis of the current knowledge of ITN fishing and the toxicity of pyrethroids and discuss the potential implications of widespread fishing with ITNs. We further review effective management strategies in tropical fisheries to explore a framework for managing potential ITN fishing impacts. DISCUSSION: Pyrethroids are toxic to fish and aquatic environments, and fishing with ITNs may endanger the health of fisheries. Furthermore, although human toxicity to the pyrethroid insecticides that impregnate ITNs is traditionally thought to be low, recent scientific advances have shown that pyrethroid exposure is associated with a host of human health issues, including neurocognitive developmental disorders, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Although it is known that ITN fishing is widespread, the implications for both fisheries and human communities is understudied and may be severe. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7001.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number015001-1
Pages (from-to)1-6
Number of pages6
JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives
Volume129
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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