Spatial and length-dependent variation of the risks and benefits of consuming Walleye (Sander vitreus)

Restricted fish consumption due to elevated contaminant levels may limit the intake of essential omega-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic (EPA; 20:5n−3) and docosahexaenoic (DHA; 22:6n−3) acids. We analyzed lake- and length-specific mercury and EPA+DHA contents in Walleye (Sander vitreus; Mitchell 1818) from 20 waterbodies in Ontario, Canada, and used this information to calculate the theoretical intake of EPA+DHA when the consumption advisories are followed. The stringent consumption advisory resulted in decreased EPA+DHA intake regardless of the EPA+DHA content in Walleye. Walleye length had a strong impact on the EPA+DHA intake mainly because it was positively correlated with the mercury content and thereby consumption advisories. The highest EPA+DHA intake was achieved when smaller Walleye (30–40cm) were consumed. The strong relationship between the consumption advisory and EPA+DHA intake enabled us to develop a more generic regression equation to estimate EPA+DHA intake from the consumption advisories, which we then applied to an additional 1322 waterbodies across Ontario, and 28 lakes from northern USA for which Walleye contaminant data are available but fatty acid data are missing. We estimate that adequate EPA+DHA intake (>250mgday−1) is achieved in 23% of the studied Ontario lakes, for the general population, when small (30–40cm) Walleye are eaten. Consumption of medium- (41–55cm), and large-sized (60–70cm) Walleye would provide adequate EPA+DHA intake from only 3% and 1% of the lakes, respectively. Our study highlights that mercury contamination, which triggers consumption advisories, strongly limits the suitability of Walleye as the sole dietary source of EPA+DHA to humans. •Walleye from Ontario lakes often have elevated mercury levels.•Elevated mercury contents in Walleye result in stringent consumption advisories.•EPA+DHA intake from Walleye is limited due to elevated mercury content.•Eating small-sized Walleye (length 30–40cm) yields the highest EPA+DHA intake.•Small-sized Walleye could provide adequate intake of EPA+DHA from 23% of the lakes.