Seafood and Health

1
Seafood and Health 05Issues, Questions and
Answers

• Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr. USN
  (Ret.)
• Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and
  Atmosphere
• NOAA Administrator
• December 5, 2006

2
Outline

• Welcome
• NOAAs mission goals
• Seafood consumption trends
• Meeting the increasing demand
• Efforts at NOAA
• National Efforts
• International Efforts
• Summary

3
NOAAs Mission Goals

• Protect, restore, and manage the use of coastal
  and ocean resources through ecosystem management
• Understand climate variability and change to
  enhance societys ability to plan and respond
• Serve societys needs for weather and water
  information
• Support the Nations commerce with information
  for safe, efficient, and environmentally sound
  transportation

4
U.S. PER CAPITA SEAFOOD CONSUMPTION
Seafood Consumption Trends
(Processed product)
Pounds
20
RECORD 16.6 lbs.
15
10
5
0
'20
'30
'40
'50
'60
'70
'80
'81
'82
'83
'84
'85
'86
'87
'88
'89
'90
'91
'92
'93
'94
'95
'96
'97
'98
'99
'00
'01
'02
'03
'04
1910
Source Fisheries of the United States
.
5
Meeting the Increasing Demand

• NOAA is a steward of the oceans
• Science based fisheries management to ensure
  healthy stocks
• Wild harvest fisheries and aquaculture important
  to meet global seafood demand
• Increased demand paired with conflicting
  information on risks and health benefits of
  seafood consumption

6
Efforts at NOAA

• Funded and organized 1985 and 2005 conferences
• NAS Institute of Medicine study
• Identify adverse health effects of toxicants in
  seafood
• Examine availability of nutrients in seafood vs.
  other foods
• Determine impacts of modifying food choices
• Develop decision path for consumers
• Identify data gaps

7
Efforts at NOAA

• Omega-3 fatty acids for National Institutes of
  Health
• Seafood inspection program
• Voluntary inspection services to industry for all
  edible products
• Inspection allows ability to apply official marks
• Services provided nationwide and in foreign
  countries
• Inspections of whole fish, formulated products,
  including products used for animal food

8
National Efforts

• Agencies monitor seafood supply for contamiants
• Advisories about safety and consumption
• Risk benefit analysis
• Research

9
International Efforts

• Global medical research on seafood and Omega-3s
• U.N. Organizations focusing on health and
  nutrition issues
• CODEX Alimentarius Commission
• World Health Organization
• Risk/Benefit for use in consumption
  recommendations
• Pollution controls to protect natural resources -
  ensures safety of seafood

10
Summary

• Seafood consumption rising
• Wild harvest and aquaculture will meet global
  demand
• Risk management important
• Continued research, dialogue and accurate
  information important for informed consumer
  decisions