Fish Consumption Limit Established for Lac la Nonne and Lac Ste. Anne
News Release
February 2, 2009
PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY
After reviewing results of recent testing for mercury in walleye and northern pike taken from Lac la Nonne and Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta’s Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Richard Musto, has issued a public health notice about eating fish from these lakes. Albertans are advised as follows:Lac la Nonne:
• Women of child bearing age and children 1 – 11-years-old should avoid eating walleye and northern pike.
• Healthy adults may eat walleye and northern pike up to 400 grams (2.5 cups, 13 oz) per week.
Lac Ste. Anne:
• Women of childbearing age may eat walleye and northern pike up to 700 grams (4.5 cups, 23 oz) per week.
• Children 1 – 4-years-old may eat walleye and northern pike up to 150 grams (1 cup, 5 oz) per week.
• Children 5 – 11-years-old may eat walleye and northern pike up to 300 grams (2 cup, 10 oz) per week.
• Healthy adults may eat unlimited quantities of walleye or northern pike.
“While levels of methylmercury identified do not pose an immediate threat, limiting consumption in this way is a prudent measure,” said Dr. Richard Musto, Alberta’s Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health. “When dealing with issues that may even remotely affect public health, it is best to err on the side of caution. I am therefore advising that precautionary measures be taken to minimize potential longer-term health risks.”
This advisory is based on test results received by Alberta Health and Wellness from Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Health Services from fish samples collected in these lakes.
For more information on this health advisory, please call Surveillance and Environmental Health, Alberta Health and Wellness at 780-427-4518 between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
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Media inquiries north of Red Deer may be directed to:
John Tuckwell, Communications, Alberta Health and Wellness, 780-427-7164
Media inquiries in Red Deer and south may be directed to:
Howard May, Communications, Alberta Health and Wellness, 403-660-1870
Media inquiries for Dr. Richard Musto, please contact:
Don Stewart, Communications, Alberta Health Services, 403-943-1210
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
