To eat or not to eat, that's the question

[getin]

To eat or not to eat!

After browsing this excellent forum for some time, I have decided to become a member and contribute.
I have seen some discussions here on eating (or not) fish from lake O (or any other water body for that mater)! A few days back on Lake O shore, an angler got mad at me for saying that you cannot eat as much as you want! He was like, if you do not eat the fish, you are not a fisherman! Furthur he was saying that the fish from lake is cleaner than the ones in supermarket and when I asked for a source of information he said “internet”

I think people only voice what their own desire is, and try to back it up by something they haveheared from someone or read somewhere, rather than sticking to the facts! IMO, since the Eating Consumption provided by MNR (http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/water/fishguide/index.php)is based on actual fish sampling and measuring the contaminations in the fish, it should be the source to trust. Their work is extraordinary in taking major species of fish from a lot of waterbodies and not only a few samples, but in variety of sizes! Why not stick to the science, and eat (if you wish) as much as recommended, not more!

 

when I asked for a source of information he said “internet”

Thats what they all say. Until you notice the fangs they grew hehehe once you notice, it should get him to leave with his tail between his legs lol. But seriously, I ate some brown trout and a bit of chinook salmon and regardless of the taste I should have just stuck with pictures. It's bad for my health and the fishery.

Peace

 

[Mykester]

when I asked for a source of information he said “internet”

Thats what they all say. Until you notice the fangs they grew hehehe once you notice, it should get him to leave with his tail between his legs lol. But seriously, I ate some brown trout and a bit of chinook salmon and regardless of the taste I should have just stuck with pictures. It's bad for my health and the fishery.

Peace

The benefits outweigh the risks when you eat it once in a while (abide by the consumption guide).

 

when I asked for a source of information he said “internet”

Thats what they all say. Until you notice the fangs they grew hehehe once you notice, it should get him to leave with his tail between his legs lol. But seriously, I ate some brown trout and a bit of chinook salmon and regardless of the taste I should have just stuck with pictures. It's bad for my health and the fishery.

Peace

The benefits outweigh the risks when you eat it once in a while (abide by the consumption guide).

lol personally, I can't see any benefits other than that omega fat @$$ acid stuff lol, but its a free world (or country atleast) hehehe some people can use having fangs lol Maybe next year ill have some :wink:

 

[Joel52]

He's right, you can eat as much as you like...ignorance is bliss. But then, you're also right - there are serious consequences associated with doing that on a regular basis over a long period of time. Let's hope for his sake he's not a very good fisherman.
Here's something to consider, sort of a parallel example. In 1998, the government deregulated the tobacco industry. They allowed manufacturers to put whatever additives they wanted in cigarettes as long as they printed those big warnings on the packages. There are currently over 2000 chemicals in each cigarette, and when you light it up that doubles to 4000. Cigarette smoke used to be very bad for you, but now it's literally poison - things changed. I think we'll realize the true effects of this somewhere in the near future when people develop problems from extended use.
Same story goes for fish from Lake Ontario. Used to be at one time, you could eat as much as you want. Not so anymore. Stick to the guide, at the very least.

 

He's right, you can eat as much as you like...ignorance is bliss. But then, you're also right - there are serious consequences associated with doing that on a regular basis over a long period of time. Let's hope for his sake he's not a very good fisherman.
Here's something to consider, sort of a parallel example. In 1998, the government deregulated the tobacco industry. They allowed manufacturers to put whatever additives they wanted in cigarettes as long as they printed those big warnings on the packages. There are currently over 2000 chemicals in each cigarette, and when you light it up that doubles to 4000. Cigarette smoke used to be very bad for you, but now it's literally poison - things changed. I think we'll realize the true effects of this somewhere in the near future when people develop problems from extended use.
Same story goes for fish from Lake Ontario. Used to be at one time, you could eat as much as you want. Not so anymore. Stick to the guide, at the very least.

Man all my fishing friends smoke :wink: I hope Ronald and Ted live long enough to see atlantic salmon runs

 

I dont smoke :wink:
Also saw atlantic salmon in the humber river so im good.

Also

If i think its half and half that some places you cant eat fish in certain areas.

Heard that people shouldnt eat fish in simcoe because of the past history of illegal dumping that makes the world famous giant perch etc blah blah blah.

then again lake ontario with all that mercury and pollution b.s.

Yes its not the cleanest lake but its not the dirtiest like before 10-15 years ago.

Alot of the people would like to catch and eat fish but damn. Like I would eat a fish from lake ontario once a year to gain super powers. Also depending on the size. 2-4lbs range would be alright in my point of view.

 

[FrankTheRabbit]

thanks for sharing that video! It makes me reminisce of the first time I hooked onto a salmon at Wilmot. What a buzz!!!

 

[Joel52]

Hey guys, all I'm saying is things change. Sometimes, something that used to be considered okay may not be anymore. They used to build cars without seat belts too, so why is it that now it's the law? Call it B.S. or whatever you want, but no one will stop you from eating the fish you catch. However, common sense dictates that if you have information available to discern safe levels of consumption, that by ignoring them you put yourself at risk of developing problems later on. The government is in essence covering their a$$. Like I said, ignorance is bliss... but know this, it won't be an excuse now that you know the truth.

 

[desi]

I agree with Joel... things change. It's like eating guide for eggs... one year they say eggs are good for you, next year they are bad. Same goes for wine/alcohol.

For people in Toronto area, there are countless (seafood) shops that sell fish from other regions (i.e. China, India, Bangladesh, etc...), I wonder if fish from China are healthier than the Lake Ontario fish :wink:

Personally, I don't tell anyone what to do. Last Chinook I got was over 30 lbs, completely dark, but this guy insisted that he wanted it... so I gave it to him (but told him that it might not be a healthy choice). Final decision is his...

 

[getin]

Agree with desi and Joel. My point was unless there is a more credible source than the consumption guide, do not sell our own opinions as "facts". At the end of the day it is up to everyone to how much they can eat (or not).

One thing that is definitly changing is that the level of contaminants is some lakes is decreasing. For example, one article (Refer to the article below) shows that the mecury level of Lake Trout has declined considerably since 1970, whreas that in Walleye has remained essentially unchanged.



"Changes in Mercury Levels in Great Lakes Fish Between 1970s and 2007", Environ. Sci. Technol. 2010, 44, 3273–3279

 

I dont smoke :wink:

Hehehe yeah right man! You can't fool the guy that you blew that stuff at!