Mercury Levels in Faroe Islands Salmon: Safe to Eat?

In the Faroe Islands marine food constitutes a considerable part of the diet. In addition to fish, both meat and blubber from pilot whales are included in the diet. Muscle tissue of pilot whales caught in the Faroe Islands contains an average mercury concentration of 3. 3 micrograms/g (16 nmol/g), about half of which is methylmercury. In some years, if the annual catch of pilot whales was spread out evenly, the average amount of mercury in people’s food would be close to or above the Provisional Temporary Weekly Intake of 0. 3 mg recommended by WHO. One out of every eight births, the amount of mercury in the mother’s hair was higher than 10 micrograms/g, which means there is a chance that the child will have problems with their brain and behavior. The highest amount found was 39 micrograms/g. 1 micrograms/g. Mercury concentrations in umbilical cord blood showed a similar distribution with a maximum of 351 micrograms/l. The large variation in mercury exposure is associated with differences in the frequency of whale dinners. The average PCB concentration in pilot whale blubber is very high, i. e. about 30 micrograms/g. With an estimated daily intake of 7 g of blubber, the daily average PCB intake could be higher than 200 micrograms, e. close to the Acceptable Daily Intake. In Scandinavia, the average daily PCB intake is about 15-20 micrograms. To obtain an improved scientific basis for public health action, two major prospective studies have been initiated. At about 7 years old, a group of 1000 children born in the same year were looked at to see if they had any neurological or behavioral problems that might have been caused by being exposed to mercury and PCBs during pregnancy. Preliminary analyses of the data show that several neurobehavioral tests are associated with mercury exposure parameters. With a focus on PCB exposures before birth, a new cohort was created between 1994 and 1995. This cohort will be closely watched over the next few years.

The Faroe Islands, located in the North Atlantic between Iceland and Norway, have become a major producer of farmed Atlantic salmon But some consumers are concerned about potential contaminants like mercury in Faroe Islands salmon Is it safe to eat? Here’s a look at what the data shows about mercury risks and the safety of this popular fish.

Salmon Farming in the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands have a long history of salmon fishing, but began salmon farming in the early 1980s There are now around 20 active salmon farms
Atlantic salmon make up over 95% of aquaculture production. In 2020, the islands produced 66,000 tonnes of farmed salmon.
Salmon farming is a crucial industry, making up over 40% of the islands’ total exports
Stringent regulations and monitoring help ensure sustainable practices. Farm sites are carefully selected and fish stocks are managed.

Why Mercury Can Bioaccumulate in Fish

Mercury is a naturally occurring element, but industrial activities like coal burning have increased levels in the environment.
When mercury enters water bodies, microorganisms can convert it into methylmercury, a highly toxic organic form.
Methylmercury bioaccumulates in aquatic food chains and reaches highest levels in predatory fish like salmon.
Fish consumption is the main way people are exposed to methylmercury. High exposure poses a health risk, especially to fetal brain development.

Testing Faroe Salmon for Mercury

The Faroese Food and Veterinary Authority regularly tests salmon and other seafood for contaminants like mercury.
Muscle samples are taken from farmed salmon during processing and analyzed in accredited laboratories.
The current testing limit for total mercury in fish in the Faroe Islands is 0.5 mg/kg.
Test results over the years show Faroe Islands salmon has very low mercury levels, well below the limit.
In 2020 testing, mercury in salmon averaged just 0.014 mg/kg – nearly 36 times below the threshold.

Mercury Risks Are Low

At these low levels, eating Faroe Islands salmon does not pose a significant mercury health risk.
For comparison, the EPA’s reference dose limit for methylmercury is 0.1 μg/kg body weight per day.
A 154 lb (70 kg) adult would exceed this limit by eating just 2.5 oz (70 g) of fish with 1 mg/kg mercury.
To reach the same exposure from Faroe salmon, they would need to eat over 180 oz (5 kg) in one day.
Following fish consumption advice for pregnant women and children prevents overexposure. 2-3 servings a week of low mercury fish like Faroe salmon is recommended.

Other Contaminants in Faroe Salmon

In addition to mercury, Faroese authorities test salmon for dioxins, PCBs, pesticides and other contaminants.
Levels of these chemicals have also been very low and well within EU safety standards.
A 2004 study found Scottish farmed salmon was much more contaminated, while Faroe salmon was among the cleanest.
Unlike some salmon farms globally, the Faroes do not use pesticides that can taint fish. Strict controls on feed also limit contaminants.

Certification and Testing Lends Confidence

Faroe Islands salmon achieves top food safety and sustainability certifications, including GlobalG.A.P.
Ongoing batch testing by producers and spot checks by inspectors ensure contaminants remain negligible.
Test results for every production lot are published online for full transparency.
This rigorous control offers assurance that Faroe salmon remains a healthy, low-risk choice.

Farm-Raised vs Wild Salmon

Wild salmon can have more variable and elevated mercury levels than well-managed farmed stocks.
One study found wild Pacific Chinook salmon contained 3 times more mercury than Faroe Atlantic salmon.
Older wild fish that eat other contaminated fish accumulate more mercury over their lifespan.
Industrial pollution reaching the open ocean also exposes wild stocks to more mercury.

Making Responsible Seafood Choices

When buying any fish, know your sources and opt for sustainable, well-tested products.
Farmed salmon from tightly regulated environments like the Faroe Islands offer reliable safety.
Consult online guides to make informed decisions about risks and eco-friendliness of different fish.
Eating 2-3 low-mercury fish servings per week provides health benefits and avoids excessive exposure.
For moms-to-be, kids and those who eat a lot of fish, reducing consumption of high mercury varieties further minimizes risks.

The evidence indicates Faroe Islands salmon is a wise fish choice, with very low likelihood of excessive mercury exposure. When purchased from reputable certified sources, it’s clearly one of the safest salmon options for consumers looking to reap nutritional benefits while avoiding contaminant risks.

does faroe island salmon have mercury

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Does Faroe Island salmon have mercury?

FAQ

Is salmon from Faroe Islands safe?

In the Faroe Islands, salmon is farmed in its natural environment and without the use of antibiotics. It is renowned for its very high quality and its pure taste, full of flavour.

Which salmon has the least mercury?

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) also has a tool to help you figure out how much mercury is in salmon and other fish, canned and otherwise. According to the EDF, wild Alaskan salmon contains the lowest contaminants of all the salmon varieties. It doesn’t matter if it’s coho, pink, or sockeye.

Does Faroe Island salmon have parasites?

Disease is not thought to be a problem in Faroese salmon aquaculture, however, there is a problem with salmon parasites and in particular, the salmon sea louse (Lepophtheirus salmonis). Sea lice monitoring and control is conducted but regulations do not take into account the impact of sea lice on wild salmonids.

What kind of salmon is in Faroe Island?

Atlantic salmon farmed in the Faroe Islands in marine net pens is a Good Alternative. Effluent wastes pollute the seabed at about half of the farm sites, but there’s little evidence of any impact at the waterbody or regional levels.

Is Faroe Island Salmon good?

Back then it was rainbow trout, ten years later the first Faroe Island salmon farms were established. Although today Faroe Island salmon is top-quality, there was admittedly a learning curve through the 1980’s up until the early 2000’s.

Are there any salmon producers in the Faroe Islands?

From here Faroe Island salmon came into its own, with just a handful of the top salmon producers remaining. By 2010 the Faroe Islands were producing some of the best farmed fish in the world. Regulation and consolidation has left the Faroe Islands with 3 producers: Bakkafrost, Marine Harvest Faroes, and HiddenFjord.

Which Faroe Islands produce the best fish?

By 2010 the Faroe Islands were producing some of the best farmed fish in the world. Regulation and consolidation has left the Faroe Islands with 3 producers: Bakkafrost, Marine Harvest Faroes, and HiddenFjord. Marine Harvest produces both fresh and frozen whole salmon.

Why is Faroese salmon so good?

The Faroe Islands are located in the Northeast Atlantic where strong ocean currents make for some of the cleanest waters and marine environment for salmon to thrive. Because of this perfect ecosystem, Faroese salmon is some of the best tasting salmon you will found anywhere in the world. I have included some of my favorite salmon recipes below.