José Luis García-Corona, a scientist and researcher associated with CIBNOR (Center for Biological Research of the Northwest), has been awarded the prestigious Albert I Medal, Prince of Monaco, as well as the National Prize for the Best Doctoral Thesis in Oceanographic Sciences in France 2025. These honors recognize highly qualified researchers in oceanography for their lifetime achievements, specific works, or outstanding discoveries.
The award, presented by the French Academy of Sciences and the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, acknowledges García-Corona’s groundbreaking research on the physiological mechanisms behind the accumulation and purification of amnesic toxins in bivalve mollusks—specifically the St. Jacques scallop (Pecten maximus), a species of great economic importance to the European fishing industry.
His study, conducted over five years, addresses a critical issue causing multi-million-euro losses in the European fishing industry. In France alone, the annual loss due to fishing bans imposed because of these toxins amounts to approximately 75 million euros.
The significance of García-Corona’s study lies in its discovery of the mechanisms explaining why this scallop species accumulates large amounts of amnesic toxins and retains them for months—or even years—leading to prolonged fishing closures and severe economic repercussions.
“We managed to elucidate part of the mechanisms behind this phenomenon. The impact on improving quality of life is significant because we can now propose solutions to accelerate the purification of the toxin in this species, making the resource safe for consumption and reducing economic losses,” said García-Corona.
To carry out his research, García-Corona collected contaminated scallops with the help of a fishing fleet, following strict biosafety protocols due to the toxin’s extreme lethality.
“We had to work with gloves, goggles, and face masks to avoid any contact with the toxin because just 2 mg can be extremely lethal to human health,” he explained.
During his doctoral studies, García-Corona developed an immunohistochemical method, which detects the presence and levels of specific cellular proteins using labeled antibodies.
“I developed a method to detect the toxin in contaminated scallop tissues. The technique I implemented allowed us to examine the microanatomy of the animal and determine the exact subcellular location of the toxin,” he noted.
This problem had remained unsolved for over two decades, despite efforts from researchers in Spain, France, and Portugal.
One notable aspect of García-Corona’s work is its potential applicability in Mexico, particularly along the Pacific coast of the Baja California Peninsula, where species similar to Pecten maximus exist.
“In Mexico, we have a sister species of this scallop, known as the ‘lion’s hand’ clam, which could also accumulate high levels of domoic acid and purify it very slowly,” he said.
Since the late 1980s, the presence of domoic acid-producing microalgae has been detected in the Pacific, posing a latent threat to public health.
“Fortunately, we have not yet experienced catastrophic scenarios like those in Europe or Canada, where the first recorded poisoning incident with this toxin resulted in around 20 deaths and left over 200 people with permanent neurological damage.”
García-Corona also used this recognition as an opportunity to urge Mexican authorities to support and retain national scientific talent by providing job opportunities that allow researchers to continue their studies and analyses within the country.
The Albert I, Prince of Monaco Medal, which García-Corona will receive, places him among a select group of distinguished individuals who have been honored for their contributions to marine and oceanographic conservation.
Notable past recipients of this award include:
- Jacques-Yves Cousteau (1981)
- Gilles Boeuf (2012)
- Sandra Bessudo (2014)
- Leonardo DiCaprio (2015)
- • Erik Orsenna (2016)
- • Dame Ellen MacArthur (2018)
The award ceremony will take place on November 24 in Paris, France, where Prince Albert II of Monaco will personally present the medal and award to the Mexican researcher.