Lobster Contaminants
Title
Screening the Levels of Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic, Chromium, Zinc, Mercury, and Thallium in the Traditional Food-Lobster of Eel River Bar First Nation
Description
The purpose of this project was to examine the concentrations of heavy metal contaminants: cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury as well as chromium, thallium and zinc within the lobster traditionally consumed by the Mi’gmaq of Eel River Bar, New Brunswick.
A total of 44 lobsters we tested, where 22 were cooked and 22 were raw. Due to high laboratory analysis costs, a decision was made to test both lobster meat and tomalley together for each lobster.
The mean concentrations for all 44 lobsters were found to be lower than the maximum allowed levels according to International standards for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. However, when observing the levels of heavy metals in individual lobsters, five (5) lobster had levels of cadmium that were in excess of its respecting International standard of 0.5 mg/kg set by the Commission of the European Communities. There were no International standards identified for chromium, thallium and zinc in lobster. There was no observed correlation on the concentrations of heavy metals between raw and cooked lobster.
Project Details
- Year: 2011-2012
- Status: Complete
- Project Funding Source: Health Canada – RFNCP
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GMRC Research Director Tagging Atlantic Salmon in Greenland
Thousands of kilometers across the north Atlantic, the Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council Director of Research is working on what she refers to as an “opportunity of a lifetime.” Dr. Carole-Anne Gillis is tagging Atlantic salmon in Qaqortoq, Greendland. She started tagging on September 15th and continue until the 29th. “We have been leading tagging in the Restigouche and we were only getting a glimpse into understanding a small part of their journey. Now, we get to have more information on where the salmon go to feed before they come home,” explained Carole-Anne. “We can better understand threats in the ocean. To be part of this collaborative helps put AAROM groups at the forefront of salmon research initiatives.” The collaborative group is composed of researchers from other AAROM groups, DFO, ASF and NOAA. They are aiming to tag 106 Atlantic salmon with satellite tags. The tagging will provide researchers with answers to where the salmon are feeding, their behavior, and morphology.
GMRC Presents Eel Research at Gepmite’tminej Ta’n Telolti’gw Workshop
Elder Kerry Prosper held an American eel as he walked along the inside of the circle showing this impressive species to the Gepmite’tminej Ta’n Telolti’gw workshop participants. Kerry, a respected elder from Paqtnkek First Nation is one of the guest speakers invited to the workshop. He demonstrated how to make eel spears using spruce poles. After his presentation, the Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council (GMRC) shared research they had conducted on American eel using both traditional and western knowledge. GMRC staff showcased our DJI Matrice 210 drone equipped with a thermal imaging camera. Craig Isaac flew the drone over Gospem and explained the importance of using this equipment during our research. GMRC would like to thank the Listuguj Treaty Education Professional Development department for inviting us to be part of this culturally relevant workshop.
Photo by Karen Martin
Photo by Karen Martin
Photo by Karen Martin
Listuguj Supernova Students Learn Fish Sampling Methods
A group of students from the Supernova camp in Listuguj gathered along the shore near Moffat’s Landing. They focused their attention on staff from the Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council (GMRC) who were introducing a sampling method called seining. A beach seine was used to catch small fish near the shore. As the group sorted through the net, they found species such as sand shrimp, and a school of baby gaspereau. The GMRC research team helped the Supernova students identify the species and talked about the importance of good fish handling. We would like to thank the Supernova camp for inviting us to be part of their learning experience.