Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://knowledgecommons.lakeheadu.ca/handle/2453/5280
Title: Are the fish safe to eat? An examination of Lake Nipigon fish consumption guidelines through the perspective of Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek
Authors: Hollinger, Tim
Keywords: Aquatic ecosystem;Contaminants in traditional food sources;Fish consumption restrictions;Fish mercury levels
Issue Date: 2024
Abstract: Mercury (Hg) is a contaminant of concern when consuming fish from freshwater lakes. It is known to persist in high concentrations in piscivorous fishes such as Walleye which are commonly consumed by people. The people from the community of Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (BZA) Rock Bay have harvested fish from the Lake Nipigon basin for millennia and have observed changes to the Lake, particularly those resulting from resource development and extraction. Large scale hydroelectric projects and mining have created concerns over the safety of eating Walleye in the Lake Nipigon basin from traditional fishing locations. While fish consumption guidelines are posted by the provincial government for certain areas, a lack of robust data, trust, transparency and communication about the risks of exposure to consumers has rendered these guidelines largely ineffective for community use. In this study, data collection was led by community fishermen to collect fish from traditional fishing locations to produce community driven fish consumption guidelines. In general, fish consumption guidelines produced from community sampling were less restrictive than those posted by the provincial government where comparable. However, community-based fish consumption guidelines were more restrictive in riverine environments than lake sampling locations. As a result of having engaged in data collection and monitoring for fish contaminants, BZA has developed greater trust and interest in fish consumption guidelines while greatly enhancing its lands and resources program to further study concerns on Lake Nipigon.
URI: https://knowledgecommons.lakeheadu.ca/handle/2453/5280
metadata.etd.degree.discipline: Geography
metadata.etd.degree.name: Master of Environmental Studies
metadata.etd.degree.level: Master
metadata.dc.contributor.advisor: Stewart, Rob
Appears in Collections:Electronic Theses and Dissertations from 2009

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
HollingerT2024m-1a.pdf
  Until 2024-07-19
Embargoed until July 19, 20244.91 MBAdobe PDFView/Open Request a copy


Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.