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.