Researchers from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC) and the Institute of Sea Sciences (ICM-CSIC) have detected worrying mercury concentrations in Pintarroja (Scyliorhinus canicula), a very common fish in the Mediterranean and present in various traditional recipes of the Iberian peninsula. The study was published in July in the magazine Marine Pollition Bulletin, says the Spanish digital newspaper HuffPost.
Data that worries experts
The investigation analyzed biological, environmental and human factors, concluding that the largest specimens, as well as those captured on the coast of Catalonia, had higher values of mercury.
This heavy metal is highly toxic to both marine and human health ecosystems, which led scientists to recommend the inclusion of consumer limits by species in food risk assessments.
A typical dish at risk
In Andalusia, Pintarroja continues to be much appreciated, especially through the traditional dish “Caldillo de Pintarroja”, according to the same source. However, investigators warn that frequent consumption of this species can pose sanitary risks, especially in regions where fish is part of the usual diet.
Caution in consumption
Elena Lloret, researcher at ICM-CSIC and the main author of the study, stresses that “more specific data on consumer habits are needed to get more accurate results.”
Nevertheless, the warning is clear about the need for precaution to ingest this fish.
Situation in Portugal
Although it is more popular in Spain, Pintarroja also comes in Portugal, where it can be found in markets with designations such as “small cation” or “gato fish”. Sometimes it is used in boilers and fish soups, but its consumption is residual compared to other species, refers to the above source.
Pintarroja inhabits sandy and deep zones of the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Despite its resistance, it is vulnerable to overfish due to slow growth.
Like other species of depth, it tends to accumulate heavy metals throughout life, which makes the regular monitoring of its contamination levels essential.
A warning that goes beyond a species
The study, quoted by, reinforces the need to follow the presence of mercury in different species consumed in southern Europe. In addition to Pintarroja, other varieties of deep fish can accumulate this toxic metal, raising public health issues and requiring greater rigor in the evaluation of food risks.
Also read:
