Chemistry in
Sourcing of
Farmed Fish
What is farmed
fish?
Farmed fish or fish farming is a form of aquaculture in which
fish are raised in enclosures to be sold as food. These fish
are often treated pesticides, antibiotics,fertilizers and other
chemicals in order to grow “disease free” fish.
Chemistry in farmed fish
Fertilizers and pesticides used in
farming fish are harmful
chemicals which have been
detected as contaminants in fish.
It has also been considered
destructive to the ecosystem of
fish as these chemicals can
genetically mutate fish.
Chemicals used in farming fish
01
02
Azamethiphos
Methylmercury
03
Deltamethrin
01
Azamethiphos
Azamethiphos
Azamethiphos is a synthetic
organic thiophosphate
compound and
organophosphate inhibitor,
mutagen, and neurotoxicant that
is used as a pesticide.
The pesticide is used to
control flies and
cockroaches in enclosed
areas.
Chemical
Formula:
C9H10ClN2O5PS
What is
Azamethiphos
Most commonly used in in
Salmon fish farms as
Salmon’s skin is prone to
sea lice infestation.
02
Methylmercury
Methylmercury?
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A very toxic form of Mercury which is used as a
pesticide in aquaculture
Chemical formula: CH3Hg
When it enters our food sources, methylmercury
may be the cause of subtle neurological
impairments when ingested at even low to
moderate levels.
Methylmercury is mixed in water in fish farms
which is absorbed by fish through their skin and
gills
03
Deltamethrin
What is Deltamethrin
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A very highly toxic insecticide that is used
to treat mosquitos and other bugs from
entering an enclosed area.
Chemical formula: C22H19Br2NO3
Deltamethrin is considered to be low to
mildly toxic when consumed.
It enters our food through fish as fish
farms use this insecticide for similar
purposes to treat lic.
Thank
You!
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Reference
Information
“Azamethiphos | C9H10ClN2O5PS.” PubChem https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/
Azamethiphos#section=Wikidata. Accessed 19 January 2023.
“Azamethiphos pesticide in fish.” Fera Science, https://www.fera.co.uk/azamethiphos
-pesticide-in-fish.html. Accessed 19 January 2023.
“Fish Farming.” Animal Welfare Institute, https://awionline.org/content/fish-farming. Accessed 19 January 2023.
“Increasing chemical use in aquaculture farming, and its human health implications.” Future Africa Forum,
http://futureafricaforum.org/increasing- Chemical-use-in-aquaculture
-farming-and-its-human-health-implications/. Accessed 19 January 2023.
“Pesticides Used in Farmed Fish Operations Threaten Health of Swimmers.” Beyond Pesticides, 6 May 2022,
https://beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/2022
/05/pesticides-used-in-farmed-fish-operations-threaten-health-of-swimmers/. Accessed
19 January 2023.
Pictures:
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https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/729714
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Azamethiphos
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/S-_Methylmercury_-L-Cysteine#section=2D-Structure
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/pollutants/mercury-environment/healthconcerns/food-chain.html
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Deltamethrin