West Australians are being encouraged to consume at least two servings of seafood every week in a new push for people to boost their fish intake.
The Two4Life campaign launched on Tuesday alongside a report funded by Fisheries Research and Development Corporation that summarised “moderate to high level scientific evidence” from seafood consumption peer-reviewed journals between 2015 and 2025.
It determined that seafood’s unique combination of omega-3s, protein, vitamin D, B12, iodine, selenium and zinc could reduce risks of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s and dementia, and improve foetal brain development during pregnancy while supporting cognition during ageing.
“Aim for two serves a week, with at least one being an oily fish where the omega-3 benefits are highest,” nutrition scientist and dietitian Dr Joanna McMillan said.
The report said omega-3 supported reduced inflammation, blood vessel function and maintaining brain structure.
“The studies show eating two serves of seafood a week (one high in omega-3s), as part of a healthy diet, can provide significant health benefits across our entire lifespan, from preconception and at every stage in our lives,” lead researcher Dr Wendy Hunt from Murdoch University said.
Another researcher from Curtin University, Professor Alexandra McManus, suggested seafood was “affordable given that a single serve is only 100-150 grams”.
Meanwhile, other experts warn against a reliance on seafood for omega-3, citing concerns for mercury, microplastics and over fishing.
Consumers can skip fish and get omega-3 from its original source, algae via algal oil, and can also opt for walnuts, chia seeds, hemp and flaxseeds to reduce ethical and sustainability concerns linked to seafood.
If you do plan to up your seafood intake, experts health recommend limiting intake of some varieties of fishing which may contain higher levels of mercury including shark (flake), ray, broadbill, swordfish, marlin, gemfish, orange roughy (sea perch) and catfish.
Also included are fresh water species like bass and Murray cod.
