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
Files:
GMRC wins AAROM Excellence Award
The Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council was recognized at the Fisheries Awards Banquet and Ceremony on March 31, 2022. The Atlantic Policy Congress of Chiefs and Secretariat (APC) presented GMRC as the first recipient of the AAROM Excellence Award for our work in Atlantic salmon research. GMRC is working on a number of projects that impact Atlantic salmon. Atlantic salmon population numbers have declined due to many factors. GMRC has taken a proactive approach to improving the habitat by replacing or remediating barriers to fish passage and restoring habitat connectivity, as well as the reduction of runoff from agricultural and industrial sources. GMRC Executive Director said, “After a challenging couple of years, it’s great that the team at GMRC has been recognized for their hard work. The Atlantic salmon is a culturally significant species to the Mi’gmaw and plays an important role in the region. We will continue to work every day trying to improve the habitat for the salmon and other species.”
GMRC Information Session in Pabineau
GMRC will be holding an information session in Pabineau on March 20th at the band office. We would like to remind Pabineau members to join us between 10 am and noon time. We will be collecting batteries to be recycled. Anyone bringing batteries/cell phones to be recycled will have their name entered into a draw for GMRC hat, sweater, thermos and USB stick. Please share this information with your community members.
New GMRC call2recycle Boxes Available