Sablefish Safe to Eat

For immediate release
September 30, 2004

Despite recent concerns raised over the levels of mercury in fish, Health Canada confirms that average sablefish levels are far below the Canadian guideline.

Unfortunately, attention has focussed on one highly unusual case of a single child with a high blood mercury level who was found to be eating sablefish three times a day, every day, for several months.

Immediately upon learning of this case, the Canadian Sablefish Association (CSA) initiated an extensive testing program jointly with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to monitor mercury levels in BC caught sablefish.

And as a further precautionary measure, the CSA contracted a separate laboratory in the US to conduct independent testing.

And finally, the CSA examined US government data because Canadian sablefish are part of a much larger migratory stock that is also found off Alaska and Washington state. Both the US Food and Drug Administration and the Alaska Department of Environmental Fish and Game have researched mercury levels in sablefish.

Results from all studies repeatedly showed average mercury levels in sablefish to be far below the Canadian guideline of 0.5 parts per million.

The BC Medical Journal article cited by the Vancouver Sun today states that the health benefits of fish consumption have been demonstrated in numerous scientific studies. In fact, experts say reducing fish intake can do more harm than good.

-30-

For more information contact Eric Wickham at 604 915-9117 or 604 790-6371