EDMONTON — Pregnant women, those in their child-bearing years and children are being told not to eat fish from some Alberta waterways due to high mercury levels.
All others are being asked to limit consumption of such fish.
Walleye from the Pine Coulee, northern pike from Twin Valley Reservoirs in southern Alberta and walleye from the Red Deer River at the mouth of the Blindman River have been found to have high levels of mercury.
Walleye, sauger and goldeye from the South Saskatchewan River at the Bindloss Ferry and Medicine Hat are also affected.
Dr. Andre Corriveau, the province’s chief medical health officer, says avoiding or limiting consumption of such fish is the best way to prevent any long-term health effects from mercury exposure.
The provincial government says mercury in fish likely originates from natural sources.