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:
Launch of Fish Friends Program
Message from GINU Executive Director John Murvin Vicaire
Since 2006, GMRC has worked diligently in the areas of research, Mi gmaw knowledge, as well as outreach and education. Since then, the organization has evolved into what it is today; a leading research organization that also happens to be Indigenous.
We wouldn’t be where we are today without the hard work and dedication of those who formed the GMRC. Without the leadership of our member communities (Ugpi’ganjig, Pabineau, Listuguj) and Mark Sark, we would likely not be here today.
I would also like to highlight the strong leadership of my predecessors. We still feel the effects of their commitment, professionalism, and integrity. And to all previous employees, you have left your imprint on this organization and will forever be a part of our legacy.
While this may signal the end of an era, I assure you that the best is yet to come. Our member communities, our people, and the natural world drive us to be better and more effective in ensuring that the ecosystems in which we live continue to thrive for the next seven generations.
John Murvin Vicaire
Executive Director
The Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council (GMRC) Announces Rebrand
(Listuguj, April 21, 2023)—The Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council has completed its rebranding with the launch of the Gespe’gewa’gi Institute of Natural Understanding (GINU). As we have continued to grow throughout the years, our organization has gone through many changes. We will continue to work for our membership communities of Listuguj, Ugpi’ganjig and Pabineau, being guided by our mission and vision statements. Ginu’s mission is “to ensure the ecosystems in which we live continue to thrive for the next seven generations”. Our vision states we are “an evolving organization that is a trusted partner to the Mi’gmaq communities it is serving.”
Ginu has grown from five full-time staff members to currently employing 11 staff. We are governed by a Board of Directors who are comprised of Chiefs from our membership communities. Our core activities include habitat management and stewardship, research and collection of Mi’gmaq Ecological Knowledge. Our work is also guided by using a two-eyed seeing approach developed by Dr. Albert Marshall. Two-eyed seeing is using Mi’gmaq Knowledge and Western Science when conducting research. Ginu will also continue with our research endeavours as we move forward with the rebranding. We also look forward to continuing to build partnerships with First Nations governments, organizations, public and private stakeholders.
Media Contact:
Charlene LaBillois
Communications Officers
Gespe’gewa’gi Institute of Natural Understanding (GINU)
clabillois@gmrc.ca
(418) 788-3017