Abstract
Among marine mammals, gray and bowhead whales contain large amounts of fat and thereby constitute crucial dietary components of the traditional diet of indigenous peoples of the Eastern Arctic. Despite the high nutritional and cultural value of gray and bowhead whales, there is a risk of persistent organic pollutant (POP) intake by indigenous individuals who use marine mammals as their main source of fat. POPs are lipophilic pollutants and are known to accumulate and magnify along the marine food web. Consumption of foods contaminated by POPs can perturb the endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems, and can potentially cause cancer. Moderate to relatively high concentrations of POPs have indeed been reported in the edible tissues of gray and bowhead whales consumed by indigenous peoples of the North Pacific Ocean. Even though their consumption is potentially harmful, there is no regular monitoring of eco-toxicants in the foods consumed by the indigenous peoples of the Eastern Arctic. In our view, the routine analyses of consumable parts of whales and of comparable nutritional items need to be included in the Russian Arctic Biomonitoring Programme.
Highlights
Human life in all coastal settlements is inextricably linked with the sea, and often involves fishing, collecting molluscs and algae, and the hunting of marine mammals
There is a lack of relevant data on the concentrations of persistent organic pollutant (POP) in the tissues of bowhead and gray whales, which are important components of the traditional foods consumed by the indigenous peoples of Alaska and Chukotka [10]
We summarise the available data on the contents of POPs in gray and bowhead whale tissues consumed by them
Summary
Human life in all coastal settlements is inextricably linked with the sea, and often involves fishing, collecting molluscs and algae, and the hunting of marine mammals. The harsh arctic climate and lack of a variety of food sources and of vitamins and minerals have motivated some indigenous communities of the north to live near the sea in order to hunt marine mammals (i.e., seals, walruses and cetaceans) These activities have existed for thousands of years and continue to ensure the survival of peoples living in the Bering Strait region [1]. There is a lack of relevant data on the concentrations of POPs in the tissues of bowhead and gray whales, which are important components of the traditional foods consumed by the indigenous peoples of Alaska and Chukotka [10]. We summarise the available data on the contents of POPs in gray and bowhead whale tissues consumed by them
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