Fri, May 16 2008
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Published March 20, 2008 10:48 am - Seafood isn’t the first thing that comes to most local people’s minds when someone asks “What’s for dinner?” Bounty of the sea By BETTY SMITH Press special writer TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — Seafood isn’t the first thing that comes to most local people’s minds when someone asks “What’s for dinner?”
After all, Oklahoma is land-locked, except for its connection to the ocean through the nearby McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. But Tahlequah does have a wealth of fish available in area lakes and rivers, and no shortage of fishermen and fisherwomen. Many enjoy preparing freshly-caught fish for tonight’s meal, or stocking it away in the freezer. And what about seafood that doesn’t come from local sources, where you don’t know exactly where it comes from or how fresh it is? Continuing concern over the levels of mercury and other pollutants may lead some people to scorn seafood. But nutritionists argue that people could easily afford to include more seafood in their diets, and most don’t approach the recommended allowable amount. In a recent survey conducted by the Center for Food Nutrition and Agriculture Policy at the University of Maryland, respondents named tuna, salmon and shrimp as having the highest levels of mercury. Conversely, they also listed those fish as having the lowest levels of mercury, according to the SPM Wire. “On the one hand, we want pregnant women to eat fish, as there are plenty of benefits to the fetus in terms of cognitive development and other factors,” said university researcher Maureen Storey. “But on the other hand, there is confusion about the risks, so there are a lot of conflicting messages that have been misunderstood.” “I definitely think it is important for people to eat fish, and my family eats it,” she said. Like many people around here, she has a fisherman in the family and enjoys cooking his catches. “It’s good for us to have the fish, for the omega-3 fatty acids,” she said. Winn believes some of the concerns expressed about mercury levels may be unwarranted, and it’s safe to consume the fish in moderation. “Our catfish, crappie and bass are not something to be worried about,” she said. When she went with a local group to a national extension conference in Seattle, she enjoyed the range of fish and seafood offered there and tried some varieties not available locally. One woman who accompanied her on the trip was pregnant and limited the amount she ate, but still enjoyed some seafood. 
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