A research means that the very best apply is to eat the muscle, coronary heart, and liver from weaned seals which are lower than six weeks outdated. (Pierre-Yves Daoust), Writer offered
There’s rising curiosity within the commercialization of gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) merchandise from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Whereas seal fur has been bought and blubber processed into oil for a very long time, few markets exist for seal meat and organs. Nonetheless, over the previous ten years, small companies within the Magdalen Islands have been providing these merchandise based mostly on sustainable practices, contributing to the sound administration of this useful resource within the St. Lawrence.
A darkish meat with a salty and distinctive style, gray seal is appreciated by wild meat aficionados. Gray seal meat and liver are generally ready as tataki, filets, sausages, or pâté, and are more and more being consumed by looking households in coastal communities in addition to bought in Québec’s gourmand eating places.
As consultants in ecotoxicology, environmental well being and wildlife pathology, we got down to research the dietary worth of seal meat and organs, in addition to the chemical contaminants and pathogens which may be current in these merchandise.
Serious about attempting gray seal? Here’s a brief information to creating knowledgeable selections.
This text is a part of our sequence, The St. Lawrence River: In depth.
Don’t miss new articles on this legendary river of outstanding magnificence. Our consultants have a look at its fauna, flora and historical past, and the problems it faces. This sequence is dropped at you by La Dialog.
A non-threatened species
As a part of their conventional lifestyle, the Magdalen Islanders hunted seals for meals and fur till the nineteenth century. To today, the exercise stays on the coronary heart of their tradition, contributing considerably to the native economic system of the Magdalen Islands and different communities alongside the shores of the St. Lawrence.
There are round a thousand business hunters who’re energetic annually and leisure looking of gray seal can be permitted. Regardless of a current surge in looking exercise, these hunts don’t threaten the standing of this inhabitants, which has been designated “not in danger”. There are an estimated 340,000 gray seals that stay in Jap Canada, together with the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The dose makes the poison
Naturally current within the setting at low concentrations, sure chemical parts, akin to copper and iron, are vitamins which are crucial for the correct functioning of residing organisms. However, in some circumstances, these “important” parts can attain excessive concentrations which are potential well being dangers.
Some organisms can even accumulate excessive concentrations of “non-essential” hint parts, together with chemical contaminants akin to mercury, cadmium and lead. These haven’t any organic operate and are poisonous at very low concentrations for each seals and people.
Outcomes of our preliminary research present that gray seal meat and liver is usually a good supply of vitamins, significantly iron and copper. This research means that the very best apply is to eat the muscle, coronary heart, and liver from weaned seals which are lower than six weeks outdated. Why? As a result of the degrees of important and non-essential parts measured for this age group didn’t exceed any of the utmost really helpful concentrations for weekly consumption, even for probably the most susceptible populations — pregnant ladies and younger youngsters.
In help of younger seal consumption
Gray seals start feeding at sea at round six weeks outdated, and that is once we discovered that the concentrations of mercury and cadmium elevated in meat and liver. For seals, most hint parts are absorbed from meals and so these outcomes in all probability mirror the change in weight-reduction plan after weaning. Whereas these concentrations don’t pose important dangers to the overall inhabitants, higher vigilance is suggested for pregnant ladies and younger youngsters.
Seal meat could be ready as tataki, filet, sausage, or pâté. On this picture, butcher Réjean Vigneau prepares totally different cuts. (Yoanis Menge), Supplied by the writer.
(Yoanis Menge), Fourni par l’auteur
The view of the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Regional Public Well being Division is that Well being Canada’s suggestions for the consumption of canned albacore tuna for pregnant ladies and younger youngsters must also apply to gray seals from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Albacore tuna has intermediate mercury concentrations much like these measured within the muscle and liver of gray seals six weeks and older.
Seal kidneys must be averted, nevertheless, on account of increased concentrations of cadmium and mercury. That is the case for each seals lower than six weeks outdated and older seals. Excessive ranges of lead have been additionally present in a number of gray seals. These findings spotlight the significance of selling lead-free and non-toxic ammunition for looking, for environmental causes and to keep away from meat contamination.
Though each juvenile and grownup gray seals are hunted for meat, the business hunt for seal organs targets solely weaned pups youthful than six weeks. Our research confirms that this business apply is acceptable for human consumption.
Low danger of parasite transmission
A second research evaluated the presence of 5 infectious brokers, particularly micro organism and parasites that may be transmitted to people by gray seals throughout the preparation or consumption of uncooked or undercooked meat. Such “zoonotic” infections are additionally doable via contact with livestock and poultry, in addition to with varied wild animals in North America.
The excellent news is that the parasite Trichinella (which causes trichinellosis) was not detected in any of the sampled seals. As well as, only a few seals confirmed indicators of an infection with Brucella micro organism (which causes brucellosis) and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (related to seal finger an infection).
Nonetheless, all seals confirmed indicators of publicity to the bacterium Leptospira interrogans (accountable for leptospirosis), and half of the seals examined carried the parasite Toxoplasma gondii (which causes toxoplasmosis).
Taking precautions
However don’t panic. Canadian requirements for the dealing with and slaughter of meals animals assure wholesome merchandise from the business seal hunt, particularly when mixed with correct cooking practices. Furthermore, it is suggested that every one hunters put on disposable gloves when dealing with seals to keep away from contact with micro organism.
To scale back the danger of an infection by Toxoplasma gondii, commerically hunted seal meat and liver is at all times frozen at -10C or much less for 3 days earlier than going to market, which destroys the parasite. For leisure hunters, this apply is extremely really helpful, particularly when the meat is eaten uncooked or undercooked, akin to in tataki (the easiest way to eat it, based on the cooks!). Completely cooking seal meat to an inner temperature of 74C must also inactivate any pathogens.
Seal tataki ready by Johanne Vigneault of Gourmande de nature restaurant, within the Magdalen Islands. (Jasmine Solomon, for Sustenance from the St. Lawrence), Supplied by the writer.
(Jasmine Solomon, pour Manger notre Saint-Laurent), Fourni par l’auteur
It must be famous that not like pathogens, chemical contaminants (mercury, lead, cadmium) will not be destroyed by freezing or cooking.
Science serving communities
By working in collaboration with hunters and native decision-makers, our work contributes to placing science on the service of communities to advertise sustainable administration, and the wholesome consumption of this distinctive St. Lawrence useful resource.
How can we make knowledgeable selections when consuming gray seal merchandise? Select the meat, liver and coronary heart of younger seals (lower than six weeks outdated) and apply normal sanitary measures (gloves, freezing or thorough cooking) when dealing with seals and their merchandise.
Would you wish to style seal meat or different merchandise from the St. Lawrence? Go to the Manger notre Saint-Laurent web site to find the place to purchase them.
Contact with nature can be good in your well being! The Exploramer Museum in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts gives an entire coaching course on seal looking. This workshop is given by Réjean Vigneau, an skilled hunter and proprietor of the Boucherie Côte à Côte within the Magdalen Islands, and Yannick Ouellet, an area chef.
Gwyneth Anne MacMillan obtained funding from Fond de recherche Québec Nature et applied sciences (FRQNT) and Chaire de recherche Littoral (Sentinelle Nord (Apogée Canada) et Relations Couronne-Autochtones et Affaires du Nord Canada (CIRNAC)).
Mélanie Lemire obtained funding from Companies aux Autochtones Canada, Santé Canada, Relations Couronne-Autochtones et Affaires du Nord Canada (CIRNAC), Sentinelle Nord (Apogée Canada), Meopar, Génome Canada, Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé, Réseau Québec Maritime and l'Institut de recherche en santé du Canada.
Pierre-Yves Daoust obtained funding from Ministère de l’agriculture, des pêcheries et de l’alimentation du Québec.
Marc Amyot doesn’t work for, seek the advice of, personal shares in or obtain funding from any firm or group that might profit from this text, and has disclosed no related affiliations past their tutorial appointment.
