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Seafood Consumption (seafood + consumption)
Selected AbstractsShrinking baseline: the growth in juvenile fisheries, with the Hong Kong grouper fishery as a case studyFISH AND FISHERIES, Issue 4 2009Allen W L To Abstract Historic and current information on the grouper fishery from Hong Kong and adjacent waters reveals significant changes in species composition and fish sizes over the past 50 years in this important Asian centre for seafood consumption. Once dominant, large groupers are now rare and small species and sizes prevail in the present-day fishery. Juveniles comprise over 80% of marketed fish by number among the most commonly retailed groupers, and reproductive-sized fish are absent among larger species. Current fishery practices and the lack of management in Hong Kong and adjacent waters pose a significant threat to large species with limited geographic distribution such as Epinephelus akaara and Epinephelus bruneus, both now listed as threatened by the IUCN. The heavy reliance on juveniles, not only for groupers, but for an increasing diversity of desired fishes within Asia, potentially reduces stock spawning potential. The ,shrinking baseline' in terms of a progressive reduction in fish sizes being marketed in the region can seriously undermine fishery sustainability and recoverability of depleted fish stocks. Fishing pressure on groupers and other valuable food fishes within the Asia-Pacific is intensifying, the declining long-term trend of grouper landings in Hong Kong and the increasing focus on juveniles for immediate sale or for mariculture ,grow-out' signal a worrying direction for regional fisheries. Moreover, the common appearance of small groupers for sale will influence public perception regarding what are ,normal-sized' fish. Management attention is needed if these fisheries are to remain viable. [source] Determinants of acquiring hepatitis A virus disease in a large Italian region in endemic and epidemic periodsJOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS, Issue 3 2005P. L. Lopalco Summary., Viral hepatitis A is endemic in Puglia region (southeast Italy). Over the last 13 years, annual incidence rates have ranged from 4 to 138 per 100 000 inhabitants and periodical regional epidemics have been described. Between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 1997 over 11 000 cases of hepatitis A were reported accounting for an annual incidence rate over 130/100 000. To identify exposures during the epidemics, a case,control study was performed in two different rounds and since 1997, an enhanced surveillance system has permitted the monitoring of exposures of subsequent cases. Raw seafood consumption was identified as the major risk factor for hepatitis A. Adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals for this exposure from the first round of the case,control study was 38.6 (12.2,122.4) and for the second round for consumption of raw mussels it was 30.7 (16.0,52.0). Hepatitis A epidemiology in Puglia is consistent with an endemic situation sustained by locally contaminated seafood consumed raw and by the recurrence of large epidemics, where size is influenced by the accumulation of susceptible subjects in the population. [source] Association between maternal seafood consumption before pregnancy and fetal growth: evidence for an association in overweight women.PAEDIATRIC & PERINATAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 1 2009The EDEN mother-child cohort Summary Studies in countries with high seafood consumption have shown a benefit on fetal growth and child development. The objective of our study was to determine the association between seafood consumption in French pregnant women and fetal growth. Pregnant women included in the EDEN mother-child cohort study completed two food frequency questionnaires on their usual diet in the year before and during the last 3 months of pregnancy (n = 1805). Fetal circumferences were measured by ultrasound and anthropometry at birth. Variables were compared across tertiles of the mother's seafood consumption using multiple linear regression to adjust for confounding variables. Analyses were stratified by maternal overweight status because of an interaction between maternal seafood consumption and her body mass index (P < 0.01). There was no association between seafood intake and fetal growth in the whole sample of women. For overweight women (n = 464), higher consumption of seafood before pregnancy was associated with higher fetal biparietal and abdominal circumferences and anthropometric measures. From the lowest to the highest tertiles, mean birthweight was 167 g higher (P = 0.002). No significant association was found with consumption at the end of pregnancy. In conclusion, high seafood consumption before pregnancy is positively associated with fetal growth in overweight women. [source] Occupational allergy and asthma among salt water fish processing workersAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 12 2008Mohamed F. Jeebhay MBChB Abstract Background Fish processing is a common economic activity in Southern Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and host determinants of allergic symptoms, allergic sensitization, bronchial hyper-responsiveness and asthma among workers processing saltwater fish. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 594 currently employed workers in two processing plants involved in pilchard canning and fishmeal processing. A modified European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) questionnaire was used. Skin prick tests (SPT) used extracts of common airborne allergens, fresh fish (pilchard, anchovy, maasbanker, mackerel, red eye) and fishmeal. Spirometry and methacholine challenge tests (MCTs; tidal breathing method) used ATS guidelines. Results Work-related ocular-nasal symptoms (26%) were more common than asthma symptoms (16%). The prevalence of atopy was 36%, while 7% were sensitized to fish species and 26% had NSBH (PC20,,,8 mg/ml or ,12% increase in FEV1 post-bronchodilator). The prevalence of probable occupational asthma was 1.8% and fish allergic rhino-conjunctivitis 2.6%. Women were more likely to report work-related asthma symptoms (OR,=,1.94) and have NSBH (OR,=,3.09), while men were more likely to be sensitized to fish (OR,=,2.06) and have airway obstruction (OR,=,4.17). Atopy (OR,=,3.16) and current smoking (OR,=,2.37), but not habitual seafood consumption were associated with sensitization to fish. Conclusions Based on comparison with previous published studies, the prevalence of occupational asthma to salt water fish is lower than due to shellfish. The gendered distribution of work and exposures in fish processing operations together with atopy and cigarette smoking are important determinants of occupational allergy and asthma. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:899,910, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Historical aspects, current status and prospects of pejerrey aquaculture in South AmericaAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 7 2008Gustavo M Somoza Abstract The pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis (Valenciennes, 1835) is an inland water fish from the Pampas region comprising part of Argentina, Uruguay and the South of Brazil. Pejerrey is a very popular fish in this region and has a long history of domestic and international introductions, which attests to the high quality and market value of its flesh, as well as its attractiveness as a game fish. The desirable characteristics of pejerrey also make it a good candidate for aquaculture, and the first trials on pejerrey cultivation (atheriniculture) were started more than a century ago in Argentina. In spite of the considerable interest in its development, little progress has been made and atheriniculture is still restricted to propagation and stocking for sport fishing purposes. In this review, we summarize the history of atheriniculture and the biological, technological, scientific, cultural and infrastructural constraints to pejerrey aquaculture development thus far. We also suggest possible scenarios of pejerrey aquaculture development compatible with the socio,economic conditions of South American countries. Our projections also take into consideration recent scientific findings on the biology of pejerrey and technological advances in seafood processing, storage and transportation, as well as the latest trends of seafood consumption and international markets. The best production strategy remains to be determined by trial and error but it is likely that, initially, production should focus on a differentiated, high-quality fish for the premium or international markets rather than attempting to compete with the cheap fish from natural sources. An international cooperation project with Japan has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of breeding pejerrey in captivity and mass producing seeds efficiently in Argentina, and has provided the foundation for the development of intensive and extensive farming of this species. [source] | |||||||||||||