Mercury contents in commercial Billfish species of the Western Central Atlantic: Assessing the potential risks to human health of Billfish consumption

Bille, Laura; Crovato, Stefania; Manfrin, Amedeo; Pozza, Manuela Dalla; Toson, Marica; Franzago, Eleonora; Pinto, Anna; Mascarello, Giulia; Muzzolon, Orietta; Tosi, Federica; Negroni, Gianluigi; Cappi, Gualberto; Obregón, Pablo Orozco; Ravarotto, Licia; Binato, Giovanni

doi:10.1016/j.foodcont.2019.107002

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 24 publications

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“…Large and relatively long-lived pelagic species such as billfishes can be used as bioindicators for understanding expansive spatial gradients of MeHg contamination in the world’s oceans using current commercial resources. Mercury concentrations in billfish, such as marlin (multiple genera; Drevnick and Brooks 2017 , Vega-Sánchez et al 2017 , Bille et al 2020 , Rudershausen et al 2023 ) and swordfish ( Xiphias gladius , Mendez et al 2001 , Branco et al 2007 ), are some of the highest known for marine teleost fish (Rodrigues and Amorim 2016 ) and adverse impacts to their physiology and body condition may be of concern for some populations (Biton-Porsmoguer et al 2022 ). Swordfish are the most widespread of the billfish and northern hemisphere stocks are generally managed sustainability (western, central, and eastern North Pacific and North Atlantic stocks) (National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce unpubl.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global mercury concentrations in biota: their use as a basis for a global biomonitoring framework

Evers,

Ackerman,

Åkerblom

et al. 2024

Ecotoxicology

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An important provision of the Minamata Convention on Mercury is to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the adopted measures and its implementation. Here, we describe for the first time currently available biotic mercury (Hg) data on a global scale to improve the understanding of global efforts to reduce the impact of Hg pollution on people and the environment. Data from the peer-reviewed literature were compiled in the Global Biotic Mercury Synthesis (GBMS) database (>550,000 data points). These data provide a foundation for establishing a biomonitoring framework needed to track Hg concentrations in biota globally. We describe Hg exposure in the taxa identified by the Minamata Convention: fish, sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals. Based on the GBMS database, Hg concentrations are presented at relevant geographic scales for continents and oceanic basins. We identify some effective regional templates for monitoring methylmercury (MeHg) availability in the environment, but overall illustrate that there is a general lack of regional biomonitoring initiatives around the world, especially in Africa, Australia, Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Temporal trend data for Hg in biota are generally limited. Ecologically sensitive sites (where biota have above average MeHg tissue concentrations) have been identified throughout the world. Efforts to model and quantify ecosystem sensitivity locally, regionally, and globally could help establish effective and efficient biomonitoring programs. We present a framework for a global Hg biomonitoring network that includes a three-step continental and oceanic approach to integrate existing biomonitoring efforts and prioritize filling regional data gaps linked with key Hg sources. We describe a standardized approach that builds on an evidence-based evaluation to assess the Minamata Convention’s progress to reduce the impact of global Hg pollution on people and the environment.

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