Researchers have been studying Bluefin Tuna to understand the global ocean patterns of mercury Pollution in the ocean.

Bluefin Tuna are one fish species that accumulate mercury over time. Thus, they are a good fish to study in regards to how much mercury there is in the ocean and where it is most prevalent.

There are many variables when it comes to the amounts of mercury in tuna. There have been several instances where the mercury content exceeded what was safe for human consumption. However, it has always been almost impossible to identify just how much mercury is in tuna as a whole.

After conducting a thorough study of muscle tissue samples from 1998 to 2019, researchers discovered that mercury amounts in tuna were highest in the Mediterranean. The amount of mercury was lower around the Atlantic ocean, Indian ocean, and the North Atlantic Ocean.

The study also found that the Mediterranean ocean was more subjected to mercury poisoning due to the natural mercury leaching from rocks and human contamination.

One of the study’s senior authors, John Reinfelder, a professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, said, “Our study shows that mercury accumulation rates in bluefin tuna may be used as a global Pollution index. That can reveal patterns of mercury Pollution and bioavailability in the oceans. Natural and human-caused emissions and regional environmental features.”

This research gives scientists a better understanding of the mercury pollution in the ocean and provides yet another reason why you should ditch seafood. Not only is the seafood industry extremely cruel and harmful to the environment, but it is also a danger to public health. 

Sign this petition to tell member nations of the UN’s Indian Ocean Tuna Commission to restrict the overfishing of yellowfin tuna!

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• The Troubling Impact of Ocean Plastics on Human Health

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