Catch-22
Fish like walleye (Sander vitreus) are popular with anglers for sport and for eating and fish consumption has numerous health benefits. Unfortunately, this and other species are often the subject of fish consumption advisories due to the accumulation of toxins that can impact human health. This knitted walleye demonstrates the concept of biomagnification, whereby pollutants such as mercury and other heavy metals, PCBs, and pesticides increase in concentration as they move up the food chain, which happens when substances accumulate faster than they can be metabolized or excreted. Keep eating fish but take advantage of New York State’s useful guidelines for which are best.
This piece was created in association with a short-term artist residency supported by the Institute for Human Health and the Environment at the University of Rochester in which we used Wool and Water to explore the connections between water and human health.
More details available here on Ravelry.