EATING FISH CAUGHT IN KAHNAWÀ:KE
A guide to safe consumption
"Akwé:kon énska entitewahweʼnón:ni ne onkwaʼnikòn:ra tánonʼ teiethinonhwerá:ton ne Kentsonhshón:ʼa. Tho niiohtónhak ne onkwaʼnikòn:ra. "
Things to think about when choosing fish to eat:
Fish caught in Kahnawà:ke are healthy to eat in moderation, even though they can contain some contaminants. Mercury is the most common contaminant. In many fish, mercury is only present in small amounts.
When you eat fish caught in the bay and river near Kahnawà:ke, you should consider the size and the type of fish to know how much is safe to eat. Although eating fish in moderation is healthy for fetal development, pregnant people should be more cautious. This guide can help you decide what size fish you should eat. There are many benefits to
Benefits of eating harvested fish
• Fishing helps connect us with Kanien’kehá:ka culture and with nature.
• Fish are high in protein and low in saturated fat.
• Fish are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that are healthy for your heart.
• For pregnant people, eating fish in moderation aids in the development of a baby's brain and eye development.
Type of fish:
Fish that eat worms, bugs, and mussels (Bullhead) are lower on the food chain and have lower mercury.
Fish that mostly eat other fish and frogs (Pike, Walleye, Bass) have more mercury because they are high on the food chain and substances build up in their bodies over time; this is called biomagnification and bioaccumulation.
Fish that eat a mix of fish and bugs (like Perch) have intermediate amounts of
Adults and teens are able to metabolize mercury that comes from food most effectively, so it is safer for them to eat more
• Pregnant people and young children are not able to do this as well and can also be more affected by smaller amounts of mercury, so they should eat less than others.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does mercury get into the environment?
Some mercury is natural from erosion and breakdown of organic matter. Other mercury gets into the environment from industrial pollution. This can be either directly from factory or farming wastewater or from precipitation that has mercury from air pollution. Pure mercury, while hazardous, isn’t very easily absorbed by animals. Microbes in lake and river sediments, however, convert mercury into a more toxic form: methylmercury. It is important to know the specific risks in the area where you are harvesting fish because mercury and other pollutants depend on local environmental conditions.
Are those black spots on fish dangerous to eat?
No, they are not harmful to eat. These spots are cysts from a flatworm larva. This flatworm has a complex life cycle and is hosted by three different animals: fish-eating bird, aquatic snail, then fish. The parasites are minimally harmful to their hosts and do not infect humans. Fully cooking or smoking fish is necessary to kill off other parasites and microbes which are often naturally present in wild and farmed fish.
Where does this information come from?
Recommendations in this document are based on test results conducted by Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO) staff on fish samples collected by community members during the 2023 ice fishing season, in the bay and the river (see the map on the back cover of this booklet). Nia:wen to everyone who contributed. No measurements were done in Tioweró:ton. Community Environmental Health Services (EHS) collaborated with KEPO and consulted with experts in the environment and in health from the province and from Indigenous Services Canada and Health Canada to create these local recommendations.
Is there testing being conducted for other possible contaminants/chemicals present in fish near Kahnawà:ke?
Yes. KEPO is working on monitoring PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls), it does so as part of overall monitoring of river ecosystem wellbeing. PCBS are found more in the fatty parts of a fish. To reduce potential exposure, it is better to remove the skin and fat of the fish, and to cook the fish by baking, broiling or grilling, instead of frying. There are currently no specific dietary limitations for PCBs in fish. There are many potential ways to be exposed to PCBs, other than from eating fish. Broadly, human and fish exposure to PCBs are reducing over decades as these contaminants have become strictly regulated. Lake Sturgeon contained higher PCB levels than other types of fish. PCB levels reduced in all fish caught between studies in 1996 and in 2023.
VISIT THE LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please note that information presented in this document are based on test results conducted by KEPO staff on fish samples collected by community members during the 2023 ice fishing season AND on recommendations from Health Canada.
Recommendations are based on data collected on Kahnawà:ke traditional fish and information presented only applies to this community. For more information, please visit kahnawakeenvironment.com/ or follow the QR code
The fish used to collect data for this booklet were harvested from the highlighted section of this map. This includes the bay area and parts of the seaway.
Annabelle Beach Tekakwitha Island
Wigwam Beach
Johnson Beach
Kahnawà:ke
