Channel NewsAsia - Wednesday, May
7
Tests
show shark meat samples contain high levels of
mercury
SINGAPORE: Shark’s fin lovers beware. Some shark
meat contains high levels of mercury that may be harmful to
you.
The Singapore Environment Council (SEC) and international
conservation group Wildaid on Monday said tests done on 10 random
shark meat samples here show that three contained mercury readings
higher than 0.5 ppm (parts per million) the maximum mercury residue
limit in Singapore.
SEC executive director Howard Shaw said he hopes people will
consume less shark’s fin when they know the health issues.
"Our approach is ’If the buying stops, the killing will too’,"
he said.
WildAid director Peter Knights added: "The scale of demand for
shark’s fin far outstrips the supply, leading to illegal fishing
and decimated populations. This will damage marine ecosystems and
other fish stocks."
Mr Shaw said SEC will hold discussions with the Agri—food and
Veterinary Authority (AVA) within the next month regarding the
possibility of printing health advisories on shark meat products
here.
He explained that people should learn that mercury might affect
certain groups of people very badly for example, pregnant women and
children.
"Mercury has absolutely no health benefits whatsoever. We’re not
calling for a ban on shark meat products but for people to know
what they’re eating and the health concerns," added Mr Knights.
An AVA spokesman said it has been monitoring mercury levels in
fish and seafood, including shark’s fin, since 1980. He added that
mercury readings in seafood here are "no cause for serious
concern".
Mercury is present in the sea naturally because of volcanic
activity. Fishes higher up in the foodchain, such as tuna and
shark, tend to have higher levels of mercury.
The spokesman added: "Our advice to the public is to have a
varied diet. Expecting mothers should consume tuna in moderation
and choose smaller fish as the foetus is more susceptible to the
neurological damage caused by mercury." — TODAY/ar
