PFAS established in shrimp from Belgian and Zeeland coastal waters
© Joris Herregods
A PFAS pollution was established in North Sea Shears in various places in the Belgian and Zeeland coastal waters last year. This is the conclusion of a study by the Institute for Agricultural, Fisheries and Food Research (ILVO). Concentrations have been measured at a few locations that exceed food safety standards.
The highest values were measured in steels near the mouth of the Westerschelde. Lower contamination levels have been observed in the steels from zones towards De Panne. The concentrations of PFAS connections vary greatly per location and there are increasing contamination levels from west to east. There are indications that the general PFAS pollution level in the North Sea Shears has fallen over the past twenty years.
According to the Institute, this study confirms earlier research. The ILVO recommends monitoring and investigating shrimp and shellfish and commercial fishing gates to find out to find out which PFAS concentrations are in fishing areas in the North Sea. Furthermore, it would be useful to lay the Belgian data in addition to Dutch research – and by extension data from British waters – to get a more complete picture, it still sounds.
Based on these results, the researchers recommend limiting commercial fishing activities in the mouth of the Westerschelde and to further monitor evolution.
Between January and December 2024, the ILVO decreased samples between January and December 2024, partly from an investigation ship and partly by crossing the surf.
