Fish consumption warning

The interesting side note to the following, taken from the CTV website, is that there is fish consumption advisory for walleye on the RDR, which is c&r to begin with.

The province has issued a public health advisory recommending that people limit their consumption of some fish caught in Alberta waters.

The province said test results found high enough levels of mercury in certain fish to prompt the warning.

"While levels of methylmercury identified do not pose an immediate health threat, limiting consumption is the best way to reduce any long-term health risks," said Dr. André Corriveau, Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health. "I recommend people who eat fish frequently from these bodies of water either avoid or limit their weekly consumption."

It's now being suggested that pregnant women, women of child-bearing age and children do not eat the following:

• Walleye from the Pine Coulee
• Northern pike from Twin Valley Reservoirs in southern Alberta
• Walleye from the Red Deer River at the mouth of the Blindman River
• Walleye, sauger and goldeye from the South Saskatchewan River at the Bindloss Ferry and Medicine Hat

The province said mercury found in fish in Alberta waters likely originate from natural sources.

Once in a lake, mercury is converted to methylmercury by bacteria or chemical reactions. Fish absorb methylmercury from water as it passes through their gills, or from the prey they eat.

Fish like walleye and northern pike accumulate more methylmercury as they are known to consume smaller fish.

For more information on mercury advisories visit: www.albertaregulations.ca