Catfish raised in Mezcala’s innovative off-shore aquaculture pilot project are free of heavy metal pollutants that are hazardous to human health, according to the findings of a methodical scientific study conducted by experts at Jalisco’s Center for Research and Applied Technology (Ciatej).
The results of the study were revealed at a public presentation held December 4 at the Auditorio de la Ribera, led by Ciatej General Director José de Anda Sánchez and staffer Claudia Alvarado Osuna who specializes in research on food products.
The study encompassed laboratory analysis on samples of catfish muscle flesh, livers and gills, in which levels of mercury, cadmium, copper and other toxic substances were found to be negligible. Water and sediment samples from the lake were likewise examined.
Alvarado explained that while mercury was detected in the sediments, catfish cultivated in Mezcala’s floating cages are kept at three meters above the bed of the lake, well out of contact range with toxins. In addition, strict control of the feed on which the fish are raised is considered a key factor in preventing heavy metal contamination.
{access !public}The favorable findings came out on the same day that Jalisco’s Ministry of Rural Development (Seder) issued a press release highlighting a steep hike in consumer demand for catfish as an appetizing, nourishing and low cost protein source.
A few years back, Ciatej handled laboratory testing in the comprehensive study of Lake Chapala common carp spearheaded by Todd Stong. The research helped debunk a widespread myth that eating carp and other Chapala fish endangers human health due to high concentrations of mercury.