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Whale and dolphin meat which is consumed in Norway, the Faroe Islands and Japan may contain some of the world's most dangerous toxins.
Recent analysis of whale meat samples purchased in Norwegian and Japanese markets found dangerous levels of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), including chemicals which act in a similar way to oestrogen, resulting in an elevation of oestrogen levels in women, and the reduction of sperm count in men.
Long-term exposure to these chemicals has been shown to increase susceptibility to cancer, affect the immune system, and cause neurological damage.
Studies in medical journals have reported new contaminants data from whale meat sampled in Japan, including mercury some 1,600 times above the recommended level, and large amounts of organic mercury and cadmium.
Dr. Roger Payne, a renowned scientist, has stated that the problem of contamination of the marine environment extends far beyond whales.
"We are destroying ocean fisheries by contaminating them with heavy metals and chemical pollutants. In the next few years we could lose access to many ocean fisheries; several species are already well on the way to becoming too polluted to eat. I am amazed by how few people recognize the seriousness of this issue."
On January 14th 2001, the US Food and Drug Administration advised pregnant women not to eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish due to the high levels of mercury found in samples taken from these species.
The FDA also advised young children, nursing mothers and women, who may become pregnant,to avoid these species of fish.
In a report National Academy of Sciences report, issued last July, it states that each year, up to 60,000 children are born, having been exposed to levels of mercury which could interfere with the development of the brain and nervous system.
Shark fin soup__________________ Swordfish steaks____________Swordfish (undersize)
The UK Food Standards Agency is advising that pregnant women, women who intend to become pregnant, infants and children under 16 years of age, should avoid eating shark, swordfish and marlin.
This interim advice is being issued as a precautionary step following a Food Standards Agency survey that revealed relatively high levels of mercury in these species of fish.
Large predatory fish such as shark, swordfish and marlin can contain relatively high levels of mercury in the form of methyl mercury, which can harm the nervous system of an unborn child if the fish is eaten regularly by its mother. Infants and children may also be at greater risk from mercury poisoning because they eat more food relative to their body size in comparison with adults
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