Aspects of the safety of fish caught off the coast of Qatar

Uncooked, edible portions (including skin) of 20 species of marine fish popular with consumers in Qatar were examined for levels of copper, zinc, lead and mercury, as well as for the presence of enteric pathogens that might indicate faecal pollution of fishing grounds or careless handling during landing of the catch. The maximum level of detected mercury was 0.24 mg kg−1, while the lead content was below the level of detection in 95% of the species examined; copper and zinc were at levels that might be considered nutritionally desirable rather than toxic. No pathogens were detected, and the total colony counts ranged from 1.0×103 to 8.0×105 cfu g−1. Overall, the results for the parameters examined suggested that local fish can be eaten with confidence