 | Edibility of selected freshwater fish from the Rietvlei Dam |
| Expanded Title: | The manipulation of the food chain in freshwater impoundments is considered as an alternative mechanism to restore water quality. i.e. By increasing communities of indigenous and advantageous fish species, dam ecology could be improved. Some experts regard Claris. Gariepinus fish (Barbel/ catfish) as an undesirable species (due to its predatory and bottom-feeding feeding habits) and recommend their removal to allow the fish community to shift towards Orechromis mossambicus (Mozambique tilapia). As part of food web management / manipulation, these fish could be harvested and sold for human consumption. However, there is a the risk that harvested fish may compromise human health.
The objective of this study was to determine whether C. Gariepinus from the Rietvlei Dam, is safe for human consumption. The C. Gariepinus from the freshwater environment of Rietvlei Dam were studied to determine the presence and extent of contaminants in tissues . Selected vital organs of C. Gariepinus were examined for selected chemicals as these could serve as possible indicators of potential harmful effects in humans. The levels of selected contaminants in fish tissue samples (muscle and fat) were obtained and the results compared to international guidelines for the edibility of harvested fish. A human health risk analysis was then completed to determine the possible human health risk following ingestion of these fish.
The health assessment index (HAI) indicated that both the external features and internal organs were in good physical condition and the condition factor (CF) indicated good health. However, although findings indicated
general good health, some results indicate that the reproductive health of the catfish was compromised. |
| Date Published: | 01/05/2013 |
| Document Type: | Research Report |
| Document Subjects: | Ecosystem - Biomonitoring |
| Document Keywords: | Health, Society, Surface Water, Water Quality |
| Document Format: | Report |
| Document File Type: | pdf |
| Research Report Type: | Consultant |
| WRC Report No: | KV 281/11 |
| ISBN No: | 978-1-4312-0161-7 |
| Authors: | Barnhoorn IEJ; Bornman MS; Van Dyk JC; Genthe B; Pieterse GM |
| Project No: | K8/785 |
| Originator: | WRC |
| Organizations: | University of Pretoria; University of Johannesburg; CSIR |
| Document Size: | 634 KB |
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