CSIRO studies of more than 120 fish species found in Australian waters are confirming that when it comes to fish, some are better for your health than others.
Marine biologists are in the final stages of a $400,000, two year study evaluating the composition of fish oils and their potential in combating coronary heart disease and stroke. Fish oil has modest beneficial effects on rheumatoid arthritis and there is a link between the consumption of fatty fish and the incidence of childhood asthma.
"When we talk about riches of the sea, this study is generating a new dimension for Australian wild fisheries and aquaculture," says Dr Patti Virtue.
"There are definite trends which indicate how fish oils vary from season to season and between tropical and temperate regions.
"We have also established that 'trash' fish caught as a bycatch to other species such as prawns are often high in valuable marine oils and have potential for that benefit alone," Dr Virtue said.
The research is being jointly funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and the CSIRO, and will be outlined at a National oil research conference starting in Canberra on Thursday.
The study, which concludes later this year, is being undertaken by scientists from CSIRO Marine Research in Hobart and Melbourne, together with the Division of Human Nutrition, Adelaide. It will provide a guide for analysing and comparing polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 oil, in Australian fish species. The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends that these should be increased in the diet of Australians.
Australia is a leading international researcher in the marine oils field, with considerable US and European interest in the fish species database being developed as part of the study. Provisional results presented by Dr Virtue to the American Zoological Society conference last month confirmed the level of interest in the Australian work.
The CSIRO study, which also involves the Division of Chemicals and Polymers, has helped pave the way for a multi-million dollar joint venture between a Melbourne marine products company, Clover Corporation, and food company H.J. Heinz. The joint venture company Nu-Mega Lipids Pty Limited will shortly begin processing high value tuna oils for refining and distribution to food and pharmaceutical companies.
The global market for the refined omega-3 rich tuna oil has been estimated at $400 million within five years.
Dr Virtue said the fish species being examined have been supplied by State fishing authorities from commercial catches. It is examining most popular species found in Australian fish markets and fish shops, and other low-value or non-commercial species either caught in Australian waters or imported from overseas.
At the same time CSIRO Marine Research has started collation of a definitive guide, 'Handbook of Australian Seafood - A Guide to Whole Fish and Fillets', which will allow commercial fishermen, retailers and consumers to learn more about the fish they are catching or buying, and provide a means for identifying each species.
The handbook, also funded by FRDC, will be written by a team led by Dr Peter Last and be the first significant guide of its type for Australia's $1.7 billion fishing industry.
At the same time, FRDC is funding a guide aimed at enhancing the usage of contemporary scientific findings on health benefits of seafood to promote seafood consumption.
More information:
Marine Biologist Dr Patti Virtue - 03-62-325222
Dr Peter Clifton, Division of Human Nutrition 08-83038826 or
Craig Macaulay Marine Communication 03 -62-325 219