Marine Capture Fisheries from Western Indian Ocean: An Excellent Source of Proteins and Essential Amino Acids

The Republic of Seychelles is located in Western-Central Indian Ocean, and marine capture fisheries play a key role in the country’s economic and social life in terms of food security, employment, and cultural identity. The Seychellois are among the highest per capita fish-consuming people in the world, with a high reliance on fish for protein. However, the diet is in transition, moving towards a Western-style diet lower in fish and higher in animal meat and easily available, highly processed foods. The aim of this study was to examine and evaluate the protein content and quality of a wide range of marine species exploited by the Seychelles industrial and artisanal fisheries, as well as to further to assess the contribution of these species to the daily intake recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). A total of 230 individuals from 33 marine species, including 3 crustaceans, 1 shark, and 29 teleost fish, were collected from the Seychelles waters during 2014–2016. All analyzed species had a high content of high-quality protein, with all indispensable amino acids above the reference value pattern for adults and children. As seafood comprises almost 50% of the consumed animal protein in the Seychelles, it is of particular importance as a source of essential amino acids and associated nutrients, and as such every effort to sustain the consumption of regional seafood should be encouraged

New marine low trophic resources as food: nutritional and food safety aspects

Food agencies recommend increasing the consumption of aquatic food to promote healthy living and sustainability, and, particularly, to prevent Western lifestyle-related diseases and secure sustainable food systems. This requires growth in global seafood production, and the utilization of low trophic species (LTS) is suggested. LTS are already considered nutritious and important in Asian and Pacific diets. As the use of LTS is expanding in Western diets, producers and consumers need information on the food safety practices associated with them and their nutritional content. LTS are mainly immobile or slow-moving extractive species or organisms that feed on such, and their nutrient and contaminant content varies by species and location. Species-specific knowledge on nutritional contents and safe consumption limits is often missing, making the monitoring and analysis of contaminants, nutrients, and consumption data crucial to guiding the utilization and consumption of LTS. Using global and regional standards regarding nutrients, food hazards, and labeling, this review highlights the appropriate guidelines and regulations for guiding the utilization of selected novel species and also identifies knowledge gaps

Climate Performance, Environmental Toxins and Nutrient Density of the Underutilized Norwegian Orange-Footed Sea Cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa)

Low trophic species are often mentioned as additional food sources to achieve broader and more sustainable utilisation of the ocean. The aim of this study was to map the food potential of Norwegian orange-footed sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa). C. frondosa contained 7% protein, 1% lipids with a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and a variety of micronutrients. The nutrient density scores (NDS) of C. frondosa were above average compared towards daily recommended intakes (DRI) for men and women (age 31–60) but below when capped at 100% of DRI. The concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and trace elements were in general low, except for inorganic arsenic (iAs) (0.73 mg per kg) which exceeded the limits deemed safe by food authorities. However, the small number of samples analysed for iAs lowers the ability to draw a firm conclusion. The carbon footprint from a value chain with a dredge fishery, processing in Norway and retail in Asia was assessed to 8 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq.) per kg C. frondosa, the fishery causing 90%. Although, C. frondosa has some nutritional benefits, the carbon footprint or possible content of iAs may restrict the consumption.Climate Performance, Environmental Toxins and Nutrient Density of the Underutilized Norwegian Orange-Footed Sea Cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa)publishedVersio

Suggestions for a systematic regulatory approach to ocean plastics

The research investigates the problems and maps the solutions to the serious threat that plastics pose to the oceans, food safety, and human health, with more than eight million tons of plastic debris dumped in the sea every year. The aim of this study is to explore how to better improve the regulatory process of ocean plastics by integrating scientific results, regulatory strategies and action plans so as to limit the impact of plastics at sea. Adopting a problem-solving approach and identifying four areas of intervention enable the establishment of a regulatory framework from a multi-actor, multi-issue, and multi-level perspective. The research methodology consists of a two-pronged approach: 1. An analysis of the state-of-the-art definition of plastics, micro-, and nanoplastics (respectively, MPs and NPs), and 2. The identification and discussion of loopholes in the current regulation, suggesting key actions to be taken at a global, regional and national level. In particular, the study proposes a systemic integration of scientific and regulatory advancements towards the construction of an interconnected multi-tiered (MT) plastic governance framework. The milestones reached by the project SECURE at UiT - The Arctic University of Norway provide evidence of the strength of the theory of integration and rights-based approaches. The suggested model holds substantial significance for the fields of environmental protection, food security, food safety, and human health. This proposed MT plastic governance framework allows for the holistic and effective organization of complex information and scenarios concerning plastics regulation. Containing a clear definition of plastics, grounded on the precautionary principle, the MT plastic framework should provide detailed mitigation measures, with a clear indication of rights and duties, and in coordination with an effective reparatory justice system

Nurses' experiences with the use of checklists in the specialist health service: a qualitative study

The purpose of checklists in the health care service is to ensure quality and improve patient safety. The purpose of this study was to illuminate and discuss how nurses in the specialist health service use checklists in everyday work. Qualitative, in-depth interviews were conducted of eight nurses working in three departments. Content analysis guided the analysis of data. Two main categories were identified: ‘Checklists, a tool for organizing everyday work’and ‘Random implementation and use of checklists in the departments’.The nurses made professional assessments and adjustments in the patient situation on how and what to use of the points in the checklists, as well as when it was appropriate to use the checklists. They spent a lot of time on documentation related to checklists, which was at the expense of patient contact. Working conditions and at what level in the organization the checklists were prepared, had an impact on how the professionals used the checklists. Keywords: checklists, nurses, patient safety, qualitative study, special health servicepublishedVersio

New marine low trophic resources as food: nutritional and food safety aspects

Food agencies recommend increasing the consumption of aquatic food to promote healthy living and sustainability, and, particularly, to prevent Western lifestyle-related diseases and secure sustainable food systems. This requires growth in global seafood production, and the utilization of low trophic species (LTS) is suggested. LTS are already considered nutritious and important in Asian and Pacific diets. As the use of LTS is expanding in Western diets, producers and consumers need information on the food safety practices associated with them and their nutritional content. LTS are mainly immobile or slow-moving extractive species or organisms that feed on such, and their nutrient and contaminant content varies by species and location. Species-specific knowledge on nutritional contents and safe consumption limits is often missing, making the monitoring and analysis of contaminants, nutrients, and consumption data crucial to guiding the utilization and consumption of LTS. Using global and regional standards regarding nutrients, food hazards, and labeling, this review highlights the appropriate guidelines and regulations for guiding the utilization of selected novel species and also identifies knowledge gaps

Associations between serum taurine concentrations in mothers and neonates and the children's anthropometrics and early neurodevelopment:Results from the Seychelles Child Development Study, Nutrition Cohort 2

Background: High concentrations of taurine are present in the developing human brain and maternal breast milk. Taurine is thought to influence fetal growth and brain development based on experimental rodent studies. As fish is an important dietary source of taurine, we investigated associations between taurine concentrations and child outcomes in a high fish consuming population. Objective: To examine associations between maternal and cord serum taurine concentrations and birth anthropometric measures and cognitive development in children at 20 months of age. Methods: Pregnant women were recruited between 2008 and 2011 as part of Nutrition Cohort 2 (NC2) of the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS). Maternal taurine serum concentrations were measured at 28 week’s gestation and in cord serum. Child weight, length and head circumference were measured at birth and neurodevelopment was assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID-II) at 20 months of age. Associations between taurine status, birth measures and neurodevelopmental outcomes were examined (n = 300) using regression models and adjusted for relevant covariates. Results: Mean (SD) maternal and cord taurine concentrations were 124.9 (39.2) µmol/L (range 28.2–253.9 µmol/ L) and 187.6 (60.0) µmol/L (range 55.0–417.4 µmol/L) respectively. We found no associations between maternal taurine concentrations and child anthropometric and neurodevelopmental measures (weight β = − 0.001, SE=0.001; length β = − 0.006, SE=0.006; head circumference β = − 0.002, SE=0.002; MDI β = − 0.005, SE=0.015; PDI β = − 0.004, SE=0.016; all P > 0.05), or between cord taurine concentrations and outcomes (weight β = − 0.001, SE<0.000; length β = − 0.001, SE=0.004; head circumference β < 0.000, SE=0.002; MDI β = 0.004, SE=0.010; PDI β = − 0.015, SE=0.012; all P > 0.05). Conclusion: The Seychellois population have high maternal and cord taurine concentrations owing to their high fish intake and may be considered taurine replete compared to individuals who consume a Westernised diet. This high taurine status may explain why there were no significant associations between maternal and cord taurine concentrations and outcomes after adjusting for covariates

Research needs and data gaps of importance for food safety and protection of biodiversity. Summary report from VKM’s scientific opinions in the period 2005 - 2015.

Related version: VKM Report 2016: 48 : https://vkm.no/download/18.7e19596115dabec04172717/1501849448865/30664700ba.pdfThe aim of the present report is to highlight research needs and data gaps that are of future importance for food safety and protection of biodiversity. The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety (VKM) produces and communicates scientific opinions, i.e. risk-and risk-benefitassessments, with the main goal of securing food safety and protection of biodiversity