The Importance of Marine Foods to a Near-Urban First Nation Community in Coastal British Columbia, Canada: Toward a Risk-Benefit Assessment

Abstract

There is increasing concern that some subsistence-oriented consumer groups may be exposed to elevated levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) through the consumption of certain tradi-tional foods, including fish and other aquatic resources. Exposure to POPs has been associated with adverse health effects including immunotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and altered develop-ment in moderate to highly exposed humans and wildlife. The Sencoten (Saanich) First Nation consists of approximately 1900 people inhabiting communities in a near-urban setting in coastal British Columbia, Canada. A survey was conducted to document the relative importance of tradi-tional foods in the diet of the Sencoten people, as a basis for the future assessment of exposure to, and risks associated with, environmental contaminants in such a diet. Salmon represented 42% of the total marine meals, but at least 24 other marine species were also consumed. Our study suggests that traditional marine foods remain very important to the social and economic well-being of the Sencoten, despite their proximity to an urban center. This information will be of value to those interested in nutritional, cultural, and health issues concerning subsistence-oriented First Nations peoples, and provides an important first step in risk assessment.

This study was funded by a Science and Technology Youth Internship (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) to Janel Jack and a Graduate Student Research Award (Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada) to Lizzy Mos. The authors thank Ian Bruce, Nancy Turner, Peter Mazey, Pamela Winquist, Danielle Brulé, Beth Junkins, Bram Brouwer, David Heap, Chief Vern Jacks, and all Sencoten First Nation respondents.

Notes

*Bighouse: original form of housing used by coastal First Nations in British Columbia; now used as the place where social, cultural, and ceremonial activities are carried out (Laurie Montour, personal communication).

*A. Phillips, Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, BC, Canada.

^†N. J. Turner, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.

^‡J. Heshka, Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Food Directorate, Department of Health, Ottawa, ON, Canada.