• To Foster Growth and Development
• As a powerful anti-oxidant with cancer prevention properties
• As essential for normal thyroid hormone and immune functioning

Recent studies also indicate that SELENIUM is especially important for the brain, heart, and our immune system health.

Compromised Selenium-dependent metabolic processes have been linked to congenital muscular dystrophy, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, Down syndrome, brain tumors, diabetes, liver diseases, and other conditions associated with increased oxidative stress or inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis, pancreatitis, asthma, and even obesity.

Ocean fish, primarily tuna, are among the richest sources of nutritional Selenium in our diet.

The SELENIUM – MERCURY CONNECTION

As it turns out there is a very high affinity between Mercury and Selenium. Wherever they exist together they chemically bind and neither the Mercury nor Selenium are then bio-available. The actual process is that selenium acts as an antidote and counteracts any mercury found in the food. AS LONG as the SELENIUM CONTENT is greater or equal to the MERCURY CONTENT

“Selenium is the key to understanding mercury exposure risks. Scientists discovered that if a body has sufficient selenium to maintain proper function, the risks from mercury are mitigated.” (NOAA, 2011).

There have been occasions where human populations have been exposed to mercury through fish consumption, for example in Minamata, Japan through the long-term dumping of toxic methyl-mercury. Understandably, therefore, people are concerned about “eating mercury.” In reality, the health risks of fish consumption vary with fish type and location.

As oceans are rich in Selenium, most ocean fish contain more moles of Selenium than of
mercury. And, therefore, the consumption of such fish provide a natural protection against
Mercury Toxicity, by virtue of their high Selenium Content.

The following graph from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) shows the relative relationship between Selenium and Mercury in various fish
species. Note: that pretty much all ocean fish identified here, with the exception of Swordfish,
have excess Selenium to Mercury content so there is no detrimental effect to eating the fish.
In fact – eating ocean fish with high selenium will provide additional protection against other
organic-metal consumption exposure.

Interestingly enough the original concerns related to Mercury and Fish consumption were the result
of studies of expectant women consuming Pilot Whale Meat (a mammal not a fish) which contains
a Mercury content almost three times that of Selenium. Unfortunately, as a result, for more than
60 years, since that original study, many people have avoided ocean fish for fear of mercury exposure and, therefore, missing the protection that consumption would provide against organic-metals and such diseases as Alziemers, etc.

While the majority of ocean fish have the high levels of protecting Selenium, they are also packed with nutrients: omega-3s, vitamins, high-quality protein, and minerals. It is essential for our health that we understand the real risks of avoiding fish versus the potential risk of mercury exposure from eating fish.

Since ocean fish are excellent sources of selenium, they provide nutrients without repercussions from mercury exposure. Less is known about freshwater fish, and this has become an active area of research.

Where Are We Today?

Fortunately, even with the protection that Selenium content in ocean fish provides us as consumers the Albacore Tuna landed by the Canadian/British Columbian fishing fleet is caught primarily in the eastern Pacific regions along the west coast of North America ranging from Oregon to British Columbia which are naturally low in Mercury.

Results from our Studies, based on a total of 173 samples, conclude that the Average Level of Mercury in our North Pacific Albacore is 0.16 ppm. Results from a US study carried out by Dr. Morrissey, University of Oregon; conclude that the average level of Mercury in North Pacific Albacore is 0.14 based on a sample size of 91 fish.

The CHMSF plans to maintain its Mercury Testing Program along with program components including the use of long line only, barbless hooks, bleeding, temperature control, blast freezing at sea, etc., all of which combined, are significant components of the CHMSF PLATINUM QA PROGRAM. The CHMSF is pleased that our industry members are an integral part of the Mercury Testing Program and along with our colleagues in the US will maintain such programs.

What Others Are Saying About Canadian Albacore Tuna

HEALTH CANADA, after carrying out an extensive review of all data, has revised its standards on Mercury levels in fish including: Fresh and Frozen Tuna, Shark, Swordfish, Escolar, Marlin, and Orange Roughy. Previous regulation, first established in 1970, focused on canned fish and set the regulated limit at 0.5 parts per million. This regulation is not changed. The new regulation is established for Fresh and Frozen fish at a limit of 1 part per million (ppm).

There remains some concerns over other fish such as Marlin, Swordfish, Escolar, Orange Roughy, and other species of Tuna. As a result the BC Ministry of Health does recommend limits on the consumption of these species. There are also 3 fresh water lakes have the potential for chemical mercury contamination and as a result there are warning about eating trouts and other species from those lakes (See BC Ministry of Health website).

CONTROL – revised, and upgraded, their recommendations in 2011 related to limits for consumption http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile68m.stm Stating:

“Fish is part of a healthy diet. Fish provides many nutrients such as protein, while being low in saturated fat. Fish also provides healthy omega-3 fats, which are good for your heart and brain. Omega-3 fats are important especially for the brain and eye development of babies and children. Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide recommends at least 2 servings of fish each week for children 2 years of age and older and for adults. Choose Fish Low in Mercury. One Serving is equal to 75 g (2.5 oz.) or 125 mL (1/2 cup)

However after reviewing all of the data collected from our Canadian studies, and data from U.S. studies the BC Ministry of Health removed ALL LIMITS and warnings related to related to consumption of Albacore Tuna products caught in the CANADIAN fishery and labelled Product of Canada. Ie (from the BC Ministry of Health Website).

* Canned albacore tuna (labelled with ‘Product of Canada’) has no serving limits.

As an industry, we are pleased, and proud, that our Albacore Tuna has amongst the lowest mercury content of all Tunas. The fact that Albacore Tuna contains significant levels of Selenium, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Protein, and other nutrients makes it a healthy and important component of our diets.

To address some of these concerns we have detailed what we know about the situation, and what we have done about testing our Canadian Albacore Tuna to determine if there was any effect from this ongoing situation.

The Disaster

As a result of a significant earthquake, and resulting Tsunami, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Facility in Japan was severely damaged on March 11, 2011. Of the 6 reactors at the site, only 3 were in operation at the time of the accident. The tsunami, which was 13 meters tall, arrived some 50 minutes after the initial earthquake and overwhelmed the protective seawall which was only 10 meters in height. The flooding shut down diesel generators that cut-in after land based electrical power cut-out, shutting down back-up electrical power to pumps that circulate coolant water. Subsequently, the secondary battery powered generators shut down once their power supply ceased.

As a direct result of the tsunami there were equipment failures which resulted in a “Melt Down” and the eventual release of “cooling waters” into the marine environment adjacent to the plant beginning on March 12, 2011.

Since that time there has been continuous testing at the site and surrounding areas to document to what the short and long term impact will be on the ocean ecology, and the species that inhabit the greater Pacific Oceans.

Naturally global oceans hold about 1-2 Becquerel’s (Bq) of radioactivity per cubic meter of water. This is natural and comes from breakdown of natural deposits of radioactive material, such as uranium, for example. Researchers at Fukushima initially found levels up to 3,900 Bq per cubic meter close to shore and levels of 325 Bq up to 600 km away (Nuclear Engineering- University of California, Berkley, 2012).

The main substances of concern are radioactive Iodine-131 and radioactive cesium-137. Iodine-131 has a half-life of 8 days, meaning that every 8 days is loses half of its radiation, and ¾ in 16
days. While Iodine-131 has been found in milk, vegetables, and water in the local area it is not expected to be of major concern due to its rapid breakdown.

Cesium-131 on the other hand has a half-life of 30 years. It will remain on soil for a long time and will affect agricultural products. However if Cesium-131 is consumed much of it will be excreted from the body.

The following graph shows the “normal” regulated intake limits of various food stuffs

What is being done to ensure food safety?

On March 22, 2011, in order strengthen global food safety the USFDA issued an alert and the enforcement that all food stuffs originating from the closest four prefectures close to the nuclear site be detained should they arrive at a US entry port. And unless tested and shown to be free from radionuclide contamination, the products will not be allowed into the US.

While seafood specifically was not subject to the Import Alert, it is now also being diverted for testing before it can enter the food supply. Generally though, due to the heavy damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami in the region there are little or no food stuffs being exported?

How will the radiation affect fish and seafood that have not yet been fished or harvested?

The Pacific, the largest ocean body in the world, contains a vast amount of water which rapidly and effectively dilutes any radioactive material above background levels. So it is expected that fish and seafood are likely to be un-affected. There is always a concern, however, that airborne pollutants could affect fish in ocean waters close to the shores of North America and as a result a series of testing protocols have been developed and implemented.

What Specifically – about our North Pacific Canadian Albacore Tuna

As you know the Northern Pacific Albacore Tuna that migrates to Canadian waters in the summer months are a highly migratory species and spend their lives roaming the North Pacific Ocean. The fish that we catch off our Canadian shores are about 3-4 years old, as quite young as compared to the 10-12 years the live expectance of an Albacore, that make up the fisheries in Thailand, etc.

Almost immediately after, the Fukushima Accident the Canadian Highly Migratory Species Foundation (CHMSF) tested samples from 2010 (from storage) to ensure we knew what the normal natural background levels were Canadian caught Albacore Tuna.

Samples were collected under “Chain of Custody” documentation and sent to the Analytical Division of the Saskatchewan Research Council’s Analytical Laboratories in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Test methods and data were validated by the Laboratory’s Quality Assurance Program and testing routines methodology followed recognized procedures from sources such as:

• Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater APHA AWWA WEF;
• Environment Canada;
• US EPA; and,
• CANMET
• The results from the tests have been reviewed and the release of data authorized by:
• Organic results authorized by Pat Moser, Supervisor SRC Analytical Div.;
• ICP results authorized by Keith Gipman, Supervisor, SRC Analytical Div.;
• Inorganic and Radiochemistry results have been authorized by Jeff Zimmer,
  • Supervisor, SRC Analytical Div.; and,
• SLOWPOKE-2 results authorized by Dave Chorney.

Results from the initial background g check, were, as one would assume, NEGATIVE for Iodine 131 and Cesium -137 i.e. the proper terminology actually is NOT DETECTED.

Once the fishing fleet began fishing off the coast of British Columbia, Canada in the summer of 2011, (i.e. 4 months after the Fukushima accident) additional samples were collected under “Chain of Custody” documentation and once again submitted for testing by the SRC Laboratories.

Once again the results from samples taken in 2011 showed radioactive contamination were NOT DETECTED.

Due to the ongoing nature of the concern the CHMSF has continued to monitor samples and had testing carried out from our fishery for 2012 (NOT DETECTED) and again as recently as September, 2013 from our 2013 fishery.

The latest sample results were also sent to be reviewed by Scientists at the BC Centre of Disease Control with copies of all data submitted to Health Canada, Scientists of the Canadian Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans, and to those with NOAA in the United States.

For the first time in 2013 we also tested for Cesium-134 due to some recent concern over that possible contaminant. The recent results follow:

• Iodine-131 < 0.2 < 0.2 < 0.2 < 0.2
• Cesium-137 < 0.004 < 0.005 < 0.003 < 0.002
• Cesium-134 < 0.003 < 0.004 < 0.002 < 0.002

Once again ALL samples tested for these residues indicate levels that are NOT DETECTED representing the lowest detection limits achievable for Gamma Spectroscopy”.

What’s Next

We are, of course, as Canadians, concerned over the safety of our global food supply. As an industry association representing fishermen, buyers, processers, brand label marketers, and scientists who work with our Northern Pacific Canadian Albacore Tuna, we are also concerned with our livelihoods, and the health of our consumers.

It is our intent to continue to test our Albacore Tuna on an annual basis, and to share our data with and between regulatory agencies.

We are pleased that we are able to confirm and report that 100% of all samples tested for radioactive residue in Northern Pacific between 2010 (pre event) to our current fishery in 2013 show no residues detected at the lowest detection limits achievable.

The issue is really inadequate refrigeration after the fish has been caught. The reason that Tuna is sometimes implicated is that Tuna are not a cold blooded fish- they generate heat by constantly swimming and once a tuna is caught it must be chilled immediately.

We will come back to this further on in our discussion but first, for those that like to know the science…

Scientific Background

Highly Migratory fish, like our Northern Pacific Canadian Albacore Tuna, swim constantly. As a direct result their muscles are constantly being rebuilt from the amino acids that circulate in the blood in the form of the amino acid histadine. Upon the death of the fish bacterial decomposition rapidly converts this histadine to histamine, which is a toxin to mammals and may result in an illness referred to as SCOMBROID poisoning if consumed.

Histamine (or scombroid) poisoning is one of the most significant cause of illness associated with seafood, although frequently mis-diagnosed as “Salmonella spp. infection”. Histamine is formed in spoiling fish by certain bacteria that are able to de-carboxylate the amino acid, histidine. Although some are present in the normal microbial flora of live fish, most of them seem to be derived from post-catching contamination on fishing vessels, at the processing plant or in the distribution system (Lehane and Olley, 2000). The fish are non-toxic when caught, but increase in histamine content as bacterial numbers increase. However, foods containing unusually high levels of histamine may not appear to be outwardly spoiled and cooking does not destroy the histamine (Lehane, 2000).

Improper storage of the fishes, usually at temperatures above 20°C, appears to be the most important predisposing factor. The organisms most commonly involved are Proteus spp., Clostridium spp., Escherichia spp., Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Morganella morganii, followed by V. parahaemolyticus and V. alginolyticus (Russell and Maretic, 1986; Kim et al., 2001). The optimum temperature for supporting growth of prolific histamine formers was found 25°C, but at 15°C a significant level of histamine was still produced in fish muscle (Kim et al., 2001).

Histamine formation in fish can be prevented by the rapid cooling of fish after catching and adequate refrigeration during handling and storage (Gingerich et al., 1999; Kim et al., 2001).

Scombroid poisoning is geographically diverse and many species have been implicated Foods with histamine concentrations exceeding 50 mg per 100 g of food are generally considered to be hazardous (Taylor et al., 1989). Symptoms of scombroid poisoning include, vomiting, dizziness, rapid pulse, nausea, cramps, diarrhea, swelling, and others. Antihistamines can bring about immediate relief of symptoms with the patient generally recovering within 24 hours.

The Situation in British Columbia – Canada

Scombroid poisoning is not an issue in Canadian fisheries due to the prevalence of cold water and air temperatures, and our rigorous system of handling, regulation and inspection.

Under our own CHMSF PLATIMUM QUALITY ASSUARANCE PROGRAM the protocol for handling (100% of all of our fish) is quite specific:

• Our Canadian Fishing fleet uses only troll fishery using barbless hooks. Each fish is caught individually alive (this is unlike many tropical fisheries where tuna are caught on a longline and could theoretically be dead in the warm tropical waters for sometime before being landed).
• Once chilled the tuna is individually blast frozen, onboard, at temperatures down to -28 C., or colder, and held at that temperature until processed.
• As well, primarily to retain quality by reducing migration of Oils in the fish, but also for safety reasons, our Canadian Albacore Tuna are typically processed into loins while still frozen. This means that tuna from the time it is caught to the time it reaches the restaurant or store, or cannery remains frozen throughout.

Under government regulation, once the fish is received by the Store, or Restaurant- ALBACORE TUNA, once again, remains frozen until final preparation. Even so Canadian Seafood HACCP Regulations require:

• All Fish must be Refrigerated to 4oC (40oF) or cooler at all times.
• All fish that have a temperature of > 4oC (40oF) should be rejected- Review delivery vehicle temperature logs.
• Any fish that has been thawed should be used within 48 hours at refrigerated temperatures.

In Canada between 1975-1981 there were a total of 6 cases of Scombroid Poisoning in the period of those cases one was caused by Cheddar Cheese and the other 5 by fish including AHI TUNA and SMOKED MACKERAL, and MAHI MAHI.

In 2007 one case of Scombroid Poisoning from AHI TUNA was attributed to temperature abuse before cooking in a restaurant environment.

Occasionally, in some non-Canadian ethnic markets a small volume of customers do prefer, and, therefore, purchase fresh albacore tuna from local fishermen. As mentioned above, however, this is not the case in Canada where 100% of commercial tuna is BLAST FROZEN onboard the vessel.

In Canada due to our CHMSF PLATIMUN QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM, strict adherence to provincial and federal HACCP Regulations – In the history of the CANADIAN ALBACORE TUNA fishery there has never been a case of Scombroid (Histamine) Poisoning reported and attributed to Albacore Tuna.

For Further Information Contact the BC Centre for Disease Control: 1-604-707-2400 and ask for the current Seafood Specialist.

The issue originally goes back to Japan, where between 1932 – 1968 (36 years) Chisso Corporation dumped an estimated 27 mt of industrial mercury compounds into Minamata Bay. Being as the main protein source for that community was seafood, and for two generations the peoples of the area daily consumed contaminated fish and other seafood hundreds of people eventually died and over 3,000 were recognized as having acute mercury poisoning, referred to today as Minamata Disease.

In another part of the world, Iraq, between 1971-72 industrial mercury was used as a fungicide to protect wheat from spoilage. From that specific event 459 people died and over 6,000 were hospitalized from consumption of the wheat. Since we have become aware of these disasters there has been a general global concern over mercury content, specifically in longer lived fish species.

Those species that have a higher than normal associated risk of problems with Mercury may include: King Mackerel, Shark, Sword Fish, Tile Fish, Sable Fish, and some Tunas essentially any long lived fish has the potential to accumulate Mercury through the food chain. Ongoing confusion between the issues of naturally and industrially occurring Mercury, the size, age, and harvest location of fish in these species has led to negative consumer reports and has generated fears in the general public and, unfortunately, resulted in people avoiding seafood as an excellent nutritional food choice that it is.

The focus of this article is to provide you with the most up-to-date, factual, information that hopefully, will allay those fears and allow people to understand the Mercury Issue as it relates to seafood’s, specifically Albacore Tuna. Fortunately, a number of very important studies have been carried to address the true impact of potential mercury consumption through fish. These studies are referred to below:

Faroe Island Study:

The Faroe Islands are an island group and archipelago under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark located about halfway between Norway and Iceland. The reason for this important study is that the main protein source of its people, traditionally, is seafood and the children in that environment were exposed neonataly to Mercury from their mother’s consumption of fish and whale meat. Given that whale meat has Mercury concentrations of > 4 ppm and the liver >1000 ppm the impact of such a diet was important to review (2007,EERC).
Through the results of this study the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) were able to determine the “lowest (mercury) level associated with adverse effects in people was 10 ppm. (10 parts of mercury per 1 million part of fish).

Seychelles Island Study:

The (Republic of) Seychelles are an archipelago of some 115 islands, under French Rule, located in the Indian Ocean about 1,500 kilometers of the east coast of Africa. Once again the populations of these islands consume about 10 to 20 times more fish than is common in Canada and the U.S. Specifically, the mothers tested in the study consumed fish on average 12 times a week, had Mercury hair levels averaging 6.9 ppm and no children born to these women showed any adverse effects from Mercury consumption.

As a result of such studies, and in order to provide firm guidelines related to the consumption of fish and seafood, the U.S., WHO (World Health Organization), British Food Standards Agency, United Kingdom, and the Canadian Government have identified the regulatory limits for Mercury in food at 1 ppm. Canada actually has a lower level of 0.5 ppm for total mercury from Canned Tuna – revised to 1.0 for frozen albacore.

Note: It should be noted here that the mercury in these studies was Man Made used in chemical processes and affected population of people in specific areas where contamination was an issue, and among a population that consumed 10 – 20 more fish and seafood then is common.

In Canada there has NEVER been any DOCUMENTED CASED OF MERCURY POISONING FROM FISH CONSUMPTION (EERC, 2007).

Let’s Talk Tuna

The general rule for all seafood’s is that the older the fish (shellfish) the more time in its life it has had to accumulate any metal in its environment, natural or man-made.

From the perspective of Tuna – raised levels of naturally occurring Mercury is recognized as a possible issue in older tuna i.e. some tuna, bluefin for example, may live up to 50 years and have reached weights of over 684 kg (1,500 lbs). Albacore Tuna typically live up to about 10-12 years.

We should be clear here what WE mean when we discuss TUNA for the purposes of this article is Canadian (American) caught Albacore Tuna (Thunnus alalunga). The reason we bring this up is that there are other species in some locations are mis-identified as Albacore, including;

• Blackfin tuna Thunnus atlanticus (albacore)
• Yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares (albacore, autumn albacore, yellowfinned albacore)
• Yellowtail amberjack Seriola lalandi (albacore)
• Kawakawa Euthynnus affinis (false albacore)
• Little tunny Euthynnus alletteratus (false albacore)

Our Northern Pacific Canadian, as well as American caught, Albacore tuna leads a very interesting life. They spawn in the warm sub-tropical waters of Hawaii in the northeast to New Caledonia in the south west. In its first year of life the tuna hatchling will feed on plankton and then small fish growing to about 45-50 centimeters by the end of their first year. Albacore Tuna are open ocean fish; they never rest as they head generally east and arrive on the Pacific Coast of North America typically when they are about 3 years old.

They arrive around northern California and then swim north as the water temperature warms in the summer following their food as far North as Alaska. As the waters cool they retreat south and then head west, eventually to their spawning grounds.

Another point of clarification is that under a specific international treaty between Canada and the US there is allowed reciprocal Fishing for Albacore within each other’s territorial waters. Canadians fish Albacore in the US and Americans fish Albacore in Canada. The tuna are the same fish and are recognized by the nationality of the boat that catches them. So an albacore caught by a Canadian boat is a PRODUCT OF CANADA and vice versa. The statements made related to Mercury, and other issues, for the most part represent Albacore Tuna produced in Canada or the US.

Simply put the reason that Mercury is not an issue for Albacore Tuna caught in the coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest (Canada -US) is that the fish harvested in this area are typically 3 – 4 years old and weight approximately 3 to 11 kg (6.5 – 24 lbs.), they are too young to have accumulated any harmful levels of Mercury.

We should also point out that marine fish, like Northern Pacific Albacore have naturally high levels of SELENIUM. Selenium (Se) chemically binds to Mercury (Hg)

H2Se + MeHg = SeHg  Thus making Mercury unavailable to cause harm.

This is another prime reason that naturally occurring Mercury in fish is not an issue. Due to this process, Selenium protects against Neurotoxity, Fetotoxicy, and Development Toxity and this activity has been shown in all investigated species of fish (2007, EERC)

Albacore Tuna In Canada

In order to begin to address the issue of Mercury in Albacore Tuna, the CANADIAN HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES FOUNDATION (CHMSF-founded in 2002) undertook a preliminary testing of mercury samples from BC/Canadian Albacore Tuna in 2003. These few samples indicated the mean Mercury level in BC ALBACORE TUNA was 0.178 ppm which is significantly lower that the Canadian Standard of 0.5 ppm and the US Standard of 1.0 ppm.

Noting that the ongoing testing of BC/Canadian Albacore Tuna was “a good and the right thing to do”, at the direction of the CHMSF Board an ongoing Mercury Testing Program was initiated in 2003. In 2004 ongoing Mercury Testing became a permanent component of the CHMSF PLATINUM QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM.

Canadian Mercury Test results IEC INTERNATIONAL (Collaborative Marine Research and Development Ltd.) on behalf of the CHMSF collected and retained samples of BC/Canadian Albacore Tuna harvested by the BC Fleet during the 2003 season. All samples were from Troll Albacore Tuna caught between Oregon and British Columbia and landed in Canada by the BC Fleet.

The samples consisted of a random combination of Frozen BC/Canadian Albacore – Tuna – Loin and BC/Canadian Albacore – Canned. Samples were submitted to CANTEST Laboratories, as a facility that is approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for the testing of metals in seafood’s. The results from fish harvested in 2003, indicated that the mean Mercury content of the 25 fish tested, was 0.178 micrograms per gram (PPM) with a range of 0.087 to 0.307 micrograms per gram (PPM).

Results from this testing were well below the mandated levels regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency of 0.5 pm and the US FDA regulation of 1.0 ppm.

Once again, IEC INTERNATIONAL (Collaborative Marine Research and Development Ltd.) on behalf of the CHMSF collected and retained samples of BC ALBACORE TUNA harvested by the BC Fleet during the 2004 season. All samples were from Albacore Tuna caught between Oregon and British Columbia and landed in Canada by the BC Fleet. The samples consisted of a random combination of Frozen BC/Canadian Albacore Tuna Loin hand BC/Canadian Albacore Canned.

Samples were submitted to CANTEST Laboratories, as a facility that is approved by CFIA for the testing of metals in fish flesh.

The results from the 100 fish sampled from the 2004 harvest indicated a mean Mercury content of 0.168 micrograms per gram (PPM) with a range of 0.017 to 0.278 micrograms per gram (PPM). Results from this testing were well below the mandated levels regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency of 0.5 pm and the US FDA regulation of 1.0 ppm.

Table 2b.
Mercury Test Results from 2004 Fishery (Samples 49-100).

Mercury Test Results from 2005

Fishery

In 2005 the sampling continued on behalf of the CHMSF collected and retained samples of BC ALBACORE TUNA harvested by the BC Fleet. All samples were from Albacore Tuna caught between Oregon and British Columbia and landed in Canada by the BC Fleet. The samples consisted of a random combination of Frozen BC/Canadian Albacore Tuna – Loin and BC/Canadian Albacore Canned.

Samples were submitted to CANTEST Laboratories, as a facility that is approved by CFIA for the testing of metals in fish flesh. The results from the 38 fish sampled from the 2005 harvest indicated a mean Mercury content of 0.1567 micrograms per gram (PPM) with a range of 0.103 to 0.246 micrograms per gram (PPM). Results from this testing were well below the mandated levels regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency of 0.5 pm and the US FDA regulation of 1.0 ppm.

Table 3 Mercury

Test Results from 2005 Fishery (Samples 1-38).

Where Are We Today?

Tuna landed by the Canadian /British Columbian fishing fleet is caught primarily in the eastern pacific regions along the west coast of North America ranging from Oregon to British Columbia. Results from our Studies, based on a total of 173 samples, conclude that the Average Level of Mercury in our North Pacific Albacore is 0.16 ppm.

Results from a US study carried out by Dr. Morrissey, University of Oregon; conclude that the average level of Mercury in North Pacific Albacore is 0.14 based on a sample size of 91 fish.

The CHMSF plans to maintain its Mercury Testing Program along with program components including the use of long line only, barbless hooks, bleeding, temperature control, blast freezing at sea, etc., all of which combined, are significant components of the CHMSF PLATINUM QA PROGRAM.

The CHMSF is pleased that our industry members are an integral part of the Mercury Testing Program and along with our colleagues in the US will maintain such programs.

What Others Are Saying About Canadian Albacore Tuna

HEALTH CANADA

Has revised its standards on Mercury levels in fish including: Fresh and Frozen Tuna, Shark, Swordfish, Escolar, Marlin, and Orange Roughy. Previous regulation, first established in 1970, focused on canned fish and set the regulated limit at 0.5 parts per million. This regulation is not changed. The new regulation is established for Fresh and Frozen fish at a limit of 1 part per million (ppm).

There remains some concerns over other fish such as Marlin, Swordfish, Escolar, Orange Roughy, and other species of Tuna. As a result the BC Ministry of Health does recommend limits on the consumption of these species. There are also 3 fresh water lakes have the potential for chemical mercury contamination and as a result there are warning about eating trouts and other species from those lakes (See BC Ministry of Health website).

BRITISH COLUMBIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH + BC CENTRE FOR DISEASE CONTROL revised, and upgraded, their recommendations in 2011 related to limits for consumption ttp://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile68m.stm

Starting: “Fish is part of a healthy diet. Fish provides many nutrients such as protein, while being low in saturated fat. Fish also provides healthy omega 3 fats, which are good for your heart and brain. Omega 3 fats are important especially for the brain and eye development of babies and children. Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide recommends at least 2 servings of fish each week for children 2 years of age and older and for adults. Choose Fish Low in Mercury. One Serving is equal to 75 g (2.5 oz.) or 125 mL (1/2 cup)

However, after reviewing all of the data collected from our Canadian studies, and data from U.S. studies the BC Ministry of Health removed ALL LIMITS and warnings related to related to consumption of Albacore Tuna products caught in the CANADIAN fishery and labelled Product of Canada. Ie (from the BC Ministry of Health Website).

Note: Canned albacore tuna (labelled with ‘Product of Canada’) has no serving limits.

As an industry, we are pleased, and proud, that our Albacore Tuna has amongst the lowest mercury content of all Tunas. Albacore Tuna contains significant levels of Selenium, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Protein, and other nutrients and as such should be, and is, an important component of our diets.

W. E. Lorne Clayton, RPBio., QEP, CC
–
IATTC
Executive Director CHMSF

Fish oils are particularly effective in reducing inflammation and can be of great benefit to people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or ulcerative colitis. Daily supplementation with as little as 2.7 grams of EPA and 1.8 grams of DHA can markedly reduce the number of tender joints and increase the time before fatigue sets in. Some studies have also noted a decrease in morning stiffness and at least two clinical trials concluded that arthritis patients who took fish oils could eliminate or sharply reduce their use of NSAIDs and other arthritis drugs.

Omega 3 fatty acids have also been seen to have a direct benefit on heart disease risk in relatively short periods of time (Etherton).
It is estimated that 85% or more of people in the Western world are deficient in Omega 3 fatty acids and most get far too much of the omega 6 fatty acids. Vegetarian diets, for example, tend to be very high in omega 6 perhaps due to the excess consumption of products containing Corn.

What’s Special about Northern Pacific Canadian Albacore Tuna?

Albacore Tuna are a highly adapted pelagic species that migrate across entire oceans. As they migrate, they eat up to ¼ of their body weight a day in high oil content fish such as sardines, anchovy’s, squid, and even pelagic red crab. As young Albacore approach the Pacific coast of North America, they are still quite young, at an age of 3 to 4 years. As the water warms they gradually move up the California coast travelling through Oregon, Washington State, British Columbia, and in some cases Southern Alaska,

following schools of bait fish that they feed upon.

As the bait fish swim north they consume plankton growing in the rich waters off the west coast. As the summer progresses the oil cont
ent increases with the highest oil levels appearing in the fall. The tuna then head south and or West and begin their travels back to their spawning grounds.

Studies by Wheeler and Morrissey, 2003 showed that typically the Omega 3 Oil Content in an Albacore is lower towards the tail portion of the fish and higher towards the head and in the “belly flaps”. In this specific study the Omega 3 levels were 2.1 g/100g tissue to
3.5 in the belly flaps. In 2004, the CHMSF tested random samples from the Canadian fishery. The average Omega 3 oil content that year was 4.83 grams per 100 grams of tissue, making the oil content noticeably higher than Sockeye Salmon at 2.7 grams, Farmed Atlantic Salmon at 1.8 grams and Atlantic Cod at 0.1 grams. Since that time Canadian Albacore Tuna has gain worldwide attention as a superior source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

Markets for our tuna have since expanded dramatically and now include: Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Mexico and many countries in Europe. Our most recent interest comes from countries in Germany and France who make Pet Foods and Baby foods from natural products.

As an industry the Canadian Albacore Tuna Fleet is proud to be able to provide safe, wholesome, tuna products to Canadians and peoples around the world.

Northern Pacific Albacore caught from Northern California through to Alaska all are an excellent source of OMEGA 3 fatty acids.

The numbers related to the consumption of fish and seafood are staggering.

• Globally, fish provides about 3 Billion people with about 20% of their daily protein and 4.3 billion with about 15% of their daily protein.
• Capture fisheries and aquaculture supply about 148 million tonnes of fish in 2010 of which about 86% was used for food.
• In the period between 1961 – 2009, the world fish food supply has grown at an average rate of 3.2% per year.
• In 1960’s the average world per capita food fish supply increased from an average of 9.9 kg (live weight equivalent) to 18.4 kg in 2009 (18.6 kg in
  2011, prelim).
• In the last few years, however, global capture fisheries production continues to remain stable at about 90 million tonnes annually. With the balance being produced through aquaculture.
• The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 57% of the world’s fish stocks are fully exploited, 13% are non-fully exploited, and 30% are overexploited.

There are several pressures that affect our ocean and fishery resources, including;

• Increasing global demand for seafood;
• Destructive fishing techniques, climate change and pollution that is disturbing marine ecosystems and affecting the health of fish and other
  marine species;
• Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU page)—in domestic and international waters;
• New fishing technologies that have made it easier to catch large quantities of fish; and,
• Fisheries management that varies in effectiveness from region to region.

Although the future for fisheries may appear bleak, today’s global concerns about the sustainability of fisheries may be beginning to change the outcome. In collaboration, the fishing industry, governments, international organizations, and consumers are beginning to recognize the significant issues related to fishery sustainability and many have begun to take actions designed to address the challenges facing global fisheries and the world’s oceans overall.

Sustainability

Related to capture fisheries, we define sustainable seafood as fished in a manner that can maintain or increase overall production in the long term, without jeopardizing the health or function of the life-web in our oceans. While fishery catch peaked in the Northeast Pacific, Northwest, and Northeast Atlantic
many years ago, and the total production declined from the early to mid-2000’s, production trends have now reversed in these three areas due to industry, and
governments taking action.

Since 2010 production in the West Central Atlantic continues to decreased, as well as in some US fisheries. The Northwest Pacific, however, remains the most productive global fishing area. To achieve the sustainability of a fishery i.e. one that is harvested at a sustainable rate, where the fish population does not decline over time because of fishing practices. A series of tasks are required

• Understanding the dynamic of a fishery
• Steps to avoid overfishing based on recruitment
• Stopping destructive and illegal fishing practices through appropriate
  policies, laws, setting up protected areas, educating stakeholders and the
  consumer
• Development of independent certification programs

There is exceptional work going on in many countries to address Sustainable Fisheries and Canada is at the forefront of much of this work. Canadian industry and governments, working together, have been leaders in such efforts to address over-fishing and improve international fisheries and oceans governance in our own waters and on the high seas.

Note: An excellent report to read is SOFIA (State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2012 produced by UNFAO. This report is updated every three years)

Sustainable Albacore

In Canada there is a multi-level approach to the management of albacore tuna.

International

Since our Albacore Tuna are a wide ranging species (They spawn in the central pacific)and travel to Japan, North America and back in its 10-12 year lifecycle, it is an international species. As a Country, then Canada participates in two international agencies related to the North Pacific Albacore Tuna stocks.

WCPFC (Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission)

Established in 2005 is a treaty- based organization established to conserve and manage tuna and other highly migratory fish stock in the western and central Pacific Ocean It was established by the Convention for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, which entered into force in 2004. The WCPF Convention is the second regional fisheries management agreement negotiated since the conclusion of the 1995 U.N. Straddling Fish Stocks Agreement.

IATTC (Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (1949)

Is an international commission that is responsible for the conservation and management of tuna and other marine resources in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

These agencies, of which Canada is a member, undertake activities related to scientific study, conservation issues, fishery disputes, and dedicated work to both determine the biomass of Northern Pacific Albacore Tuna stocks, and to ensure the long term viability and sustainability of the fishery.

Both the IATTC and the WCPFC currently have resolutions on albacore conservation and management stating that the total level of fishing effort should not be increased beyond current levels for North Pacific albacore in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (IATTC) and the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, north of the equator (WCPFC). The two organizations also require member countries to take necessary measures to ensure that the level of fishing effort by their vessels fishing for North Pacific albacore is not increased.

While some tuna species such as Atlantic Bluefin have serious issues related to sustainability, in fact they are endangered, the Northern Pacific Stocks of Albacore are in good shape.

The most recent stock assessment was completed in June 2011 by scientists of the ISC Albacore Working Group (ALBWG), which is comprised of scientists from Canada, Japan, Taiwan, USA, Mexico, Korea, the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).

The base-case model estimates that total stock biomass has fluctuated between 700,000 and 1.1 million metric tonnes between 1966 and 2009 and that recruitment has averaged approximately 48 million fish annually during this period. Where there are natural fluctuations in Albacore population recruitment has been about average in recent years and the population is near its long term median biomass, which means that 50 % of the time the stock has been above the current level and 50% of the time below the current level. Based on these findings the Albacore Working Group has concluded that stocks are healthy at average historical recruitment levels and sustainability of the stock is not threatened by overfishing and if current average recruitment levels and fishing mortality are maintained, then the stock will remain near its median level of abundance until the next assessment currently expected to be conducted in 2014-15.

A detailed report on Stock Recruitment and Biomass Levels may be found in the 2013-14 Integrated Fisheries Management Plan for Albacore (www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fmgp/mplans/2013/tuna-thon-2013-eng.pdf).

Canada -Precautionary Approach

In Canada, the overall management of Marine Fisheries is the responsibility of the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
In collaboration with industry, DFO has recently implemented new “Sustainable Fisheries Framework (SFF)”, management protocol for the British Columbia based, Canadian Albacore fishery. This framework is a toolbox of existing and new policies that governments, industry,
and other interested parties to sustainably manage Canadian fisheries in order to conserve fish stocks and support prosperous fisheries.

New conservation policies have been developed to implement the ecosystem and precautionary approaches to fisheries management. These new policies, incorporated into development of new Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) templates, join existing policies in a new framework to promote sustainable fisheries.

In Canada, there is currently no established Total Allowable Catch (TAC), nor limitations to the Albacore fishery, given that stock assessments have concluded that the current exploitation level of the North Pacific albacore stock was high relative to the most commonly used reference points for contemporary fisheries management. Instead, given there is no international formal guidance
on this issue, the ISC has recommended that current fishing effort not be increased and that all stakeholders adhere to precautionary-based fishing practices. Qualitative updates and limited analysis since the last stock assessment tend to provide more optimistic views of spawning biomass and recruitment in this stock.

Canadians have been fishing albacore since the late 1930s in the North Pacific. Although fishing has been recorded in all months of the year, the fishery primarily occurs from late June through October each year when juvenile albacore are abundant in warm offshore and coastal waters of the United States and Canada.

Catches by the Canadian north Pacific Albacore troll fishery since 1996 have ranged from a low of 2,166 tonnes in 1997 to a high of 7,857 tonnes in 2004, with an average catch of 4,977 tonnes over this period (1996-2012.The majority of Canadian vessels fish for albacore within the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of Canada and the United States. Canadian access to these waters is governed by a regularly negotiated Canada-U.S. Pacific Albacore Tuna Treaty, which provided for reciprocal access to commercial fishermen to each other’s waters.

British Columbia – Industry Efforts

The commercial Northern Albacore fishing fleet in British Columbia consists of some 200 unique vessels who typically fish in a season between June and October each year and land approximately 5,000 tonnes annually. Industry members sit on a number of International, Federal, Provincial, and Industry Boards and are instrumental in contributing to the overall management of the fishery. The Tuna Advisory Board (TAB) is an integrated multi-government, industry, NGO, and First Nations group who advise Federal Fisheries on management and fisheries policy.

Industry is represented by the British Columbia Tuna Fisherman’s Association (BCTFA), independent fishermen, processors, and the Canadian Highly Migratory Species Foundation (CHMSF). There are a number of practices that are undertaken by Canadian, and neighbouring Northern US fleet, Albacore fishermen that are unique to the fishery and lead to significant sustainable practices relate to the fishery.

Troll Fishery

The BC/Canadian fleet exclusively uses Troll gear, which is an important aspect to our fishery…

Other international fisheries of Tuna, and other species, may use long lines or drift nets. Such fisheries often have high by-catch of marine mammals, sea birds, turtles, and other species as they fish indiscriminately. Since our fishery uses Troll Gear, it is a surface fishery which has no contact with the substrate and therefore has no impact on sponge reefs, or other benthic habitats.

In addition the BC/Canadian fleet does not use bait, but instead a colorful lure on a barbless hook to individually attract Albacore. By using a barbless hook, any incidental by-catch can be released alive immediately after hooking so stress and injuries can be kept to minimum. The Northern Pacific Albacore Troll fishery is one of the cleanest in the world.

Using Troll technology, each caught albacore is handled individually, immediately upon landing the fish are chilled in an ice bath to lower its temperature. Tuna are then blast frozen to halt migration of valuable oils with the fish.

This sequence of events;

• catching individually
• ice bath
• blast freezing

limits the volume of fish that can be handled in a given day but ensures the highest quality, which is well recognized with international markets. In fact the Albacore typically, remains frozen even during the “loining” process to maintain the highest quality. The first time the tuna is thawed is immediately prior to preparation at a restaurant or home.

Canadian canned product is also unique in that the fish is put into the can raw and “retorted” once retaining all the essential Omega-3 oils. Is it very common for processors in other countries to cook the tuna then pack in a can, add back substitute oils (cotton, olive, and canola) to replace those lost in the original cooking process, and then “retort” to produce the final product.

NGO’s

In Canada, and the US, Non-Government Organizations (NGO’s) are crucial to supporting and contributing to the practice of sustainable fisheries. Working with various NGO’s the Canadian Albacore Fishery has been recognized internationally as a sustainable fishery by Ocean Wise Program (Vancouver Aquarium), Sea Watch Program (Monterey Bay Aquarium), Sea Choice Initiative (David Suzuki Foundation, Sierra Club of Canada, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Ecology Action Centre, Living Oceans Society).

The Canadian Albacore Fishery is also “Certified” under the international recognized Marine Stewardship Certification Program (MSC) as a sustainable fishery. This process entails an annual audit and 5 year re-certification process funded by industry.

Note: For more information, please visit the MSC website at www.msc.org. For further questions, please contact americasinfo@msc.org

Consumers

For consumers making sustainable seafood choices is all about supporting solutions for healthier oceans. Choosing sustainable seafood is an easy and effective action that everyone can take every time they purchase seafood. As individuals, chefs, or suppliers sourcing from fishermen, the collective choices cont. Voting with your wallet sends a strong signal to government and industry leaders, telling them that you support responsible stewardship of our natural marine resources.

Summary

The Canadian North Pacific Albacore Fishery is unique. The fishery, itself is international in scope meaning that its management and future relies on the cooperation of and between international Organizations and Government, our Federal and Provincial Governments and
Agencies, Fishermen, Processors, Brand Label Marketers, NGO’s, and Consumers.

From our industry part we support all of these efforts and collaborations- as, of course, the future of our industry depends on us being optimal stewards of this special resource.

As an industry, we participate in, and support:

• The efforts and deliberations of the WCPFC, and IATTC;
• Federal Scientists in attending international meetings of the Commission for the conservation and management of highly migratory species fish stocks in the western and central pacific;
• A series of North Pacific Albacore Workshop;
• Multi-year of Mercury Testing in BC Albacore Tuna Flesh;
• Collaboration with US Research Organizations on Mercury Testing issues
• Attended meetings in Brazil, Belgium, Hong Kong, UK, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington State, on seafood safety and management issues related to Albacore;
• Participation in collaborative studies with Washington, Oregon,
• California researchers in an Albacore Length-Frequency Population study
• Initiation and maintenance of a sampling program for OMEGA-3’s in BC Albacore
• Initiation and maintenance of a sampling program to test Albacore Tuna for radioactive contamination from Fukushima Reactor;
• Supports the “Albacore Tuna Catch and Effort Relational Database” under the International Governance and High Seas Science program;
• Supporter of marketing initiatives related to BC Albacore Tuna (Buy
• BC Program, Marriage Made In BC, BC Home Show, BC Wine Institute
• Has been recognized internationally as a sustainable fishery by Ocean Wise Program (Vancouver Aquarium), Sea Watch Program (Monterey Bay Aquarium), Sea Choice Initiative (David Suzuki Foundation, Sierra Club of Canada, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Ecology Action Centre, Living Oceans Society); and,
• Maintains its Marine Stewardship Certification through annual audits and 5 year re-certification process.

The future of the global Tuna fishery, as all fisheries, is based upon responsible and sustainable management and fishing practices. We are proud that as representatives of the Canadian Albacore tuna fishery, we work continually toward maintaining the sustainability of this fishery.