Threat to Human Health
IJC Recommendation
"Governments should require that:
(i) sport fish consumption advisories state plainly that
eating Great Lakes sport fish may lead to birth anomalies and other serious
health problems for children and women of child-bearing age. These advisories
should be addressed and distributed directly to women, in addition to
their general distribution,
(ii) consumption advisories clearly identify fish to be
totally avoided in light of the precautionary approach, and preparation
methods for any that may be consumed, and
(iii) consumption advisories are supported by culturally
appropriate community education programs directed to those who are likely
to consume these fish."
IJC Concern
"Sport fish consumption advisories state plainly that
eating GL fish may lead to birth anomalies and other serious health problems
for children and women of child-bearing age."
Response to Recommendation
Fish consumption advisories for Canadians are based on guidelines developed
by Health Canada. These guidelines specify safe consumption doses, also
known as the tolerable daily intake, for a number of contaminants. The
proportion of the tolerable daily intake, including fish consumption,
that can come from each of the environmental pathways (i.e., air, water,
food) is also specified. The Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE)
carries out estimates and calculations to determine whether fish are suitable
for consumption. The Ontario government's 2001- 2002 Guide
to Eating Ontario Sport Fish explains the basis for the fish consumption
advisories, how to use the guide, what the sport fish contaminant monitoring
program entails, and details the range of contaminants tested for in Ontario.
Health Canada regularly reviews toxicological information and revises
its guidelines as required. It has recently lowered the tolerable daily
intakes for mercury and mirex/photomirex to further protect the most sensitive
individuals, such as women of child-bearing age and children under 15.
The Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish contains important advice
specifically for women of child-bearing age (women who are breast feeding,
are pregnant, or intend to become pregnant) and for children under 15.
This information is covered in various sections of the booklet to ensure
that this special group of consumers is properly informed. The advisory
recommends that women of child-bearing age and children under 15 consume
no more than four meals per month of fish that are identified as having
very low contaminant levels; it further recommends that this group of
individuals not consume fish from any other category. The advisory also
takes into account the consumption of certain species of commercial fish
that tend to contain higher levels of mercury¾ such as swordfish,
tuna (excluding canned tuna), and shark¾ by recommending minimal
consumption of such fish to these individuals.
The Guide is updated regularly to incorporate new analyses and
methods. Methodology is currently being developed for the detection and
reporting of dioxin-like PCBs. Changes to the Guide are planned
to further reinforce the importance of the consumption information for
women of child-bearing age and children.
Sport fishing offers both nutritional and social benefits, and anglers
and their families can safely continue to enjoy fishing and eating their
catch if they follow the local fish consumption advisories and the advice
found in the 2001- 2002 Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish.
IJC Concern
"Consumption advisories clearly identify fish to be
totally avoided in light of the precautionary approach, and preparation
methods for any that may be consumed."
Response to Recommendation
The consumption advice provided in the 2001- 2002 Guide
to Eating Ontario Sport Fish is intended for anglers and their families
who consume moderate quantities of fish. This advice will protect individuals
who follow the guide and consume no more than eight meals (four meals
for women of child-bearing age and children under 15) per month of the
fish (with very low contaminant levels) they catch. The advisory contains
five different fish consumption symbols, which are based on Health Canada's
guidelines for the intake of various contaminants tested in sport fish.
The symbols represent a consumption range from a maximum of eight meals
per month to zero consumption.
Consumption guidelines are based on laboratory analyses that use only
the lean dorsal, skinless, and boneless muscle tissue of the fish. The
advisory recommends that only skinless, boneless fillets of sport fish
be consumed because other parts of the fish¾ steaks, belly fat, or
other parts of the whole fish¾ may contain higher concentrations
of organic contaminants. The advisory also contains a section on preserving
and preparing fish for consumption.
It is important to consider the health benefits of eating sport fish.
A number of species contain high levels of beneficial fatty acids (Omega-3),
proteins, and certain essential vitamins (e.g., vitamin D) and minerals
(e.g., selenium).
IJC Concern
"Advisories should be addressed and distributed directly
to women, in addition to their general distribution; consumption advisories
are supported by appropriate community education programs directed to
fish eaters."
Response to Recommendation
The Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish is generally known and
used by anglers; the response from users has been positive overall. More
than 350,000 copies of the 1999- 2000 Guide were distributed.
The Guide is also distributed, available, or advertised as follows:
- on the Ontario Ministry of the Environment Web site (www.ene.gov.on.ca);
- to all Ontario Medical Officers of Health, along with information
on mercury;
- at the time of publication, as a news release to major newspapers
and radio stations;
- in Ministry of Natural Resources Fishing Regulations;
- to various cultural associations that have opted to print summaries
of the Guide in their respective languages, either through local
newspapers or related media; and
- in the Chinese community newspaper in Toronto.
In addition, Health Canada, through its Great Lakes Health Effects Unit,
has prepared and distributed a handout that explains the Guide to Eating
Ontario Sport Fish at Areas of Concern. The handout is available in
12 different languages. (Note that the MOE, with the assistance of Health
Canada, hopes to update and redistribute the handout in 2001).
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