Conservation and health policy implications linked to the human consumption of sea turtles in northwestern Mexico

• Published in: World medical and health policy 2024-03, Vol.16 (1), p.57-69
• Main Authors: Aguirre, A. Alonso, Fleming, Lila C., Sandoval‐Lugo, Alejandra G., Leal‐Moreno, Renato, Ley‐Quiñónez, César P., Zavala‐Norzagaray, Alan A., Jacobsen, Kathryn H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum; Aquatic reptiles; Arsenic; Biodiversity; Cadmium; Conservation; Consumption; Ecology; Endangered species; Environmental changes; Epidemiology; Fish conservation; Health care policy; Health education; Health policy; Heavy metals; Mercury; Metal concentrations; Public policy; Reptiles & amphibians; Threatened species; Toxic substances; Toxicology; Toxins; Tuna; Wildlife conservation
• ISSN: 1948-4682; 2153-2028; 1948-4682
• DOI: 10.1002/wmh3.596

Human consumption of sea turtles remains prevalent throughout Mexico even though laws restricting trade and take of threatened and endangered species have been in place for several decades. The illegal consumption of sea turtles represents a risk to animal conservation, and the pathogens in the meat can adversely affect human health. In 2017, we surveyed 201 adult residents of 22 coastal communities about their diets, health, and attitudes about the environment, and we collected hair samples that were tested for heavy metals. A large percentage of the samples had high levels of mercury (87%), arsenic (81%), lead (65%), aluminum (57%), and cadmium (31%). Odds ratios suggested that the 28% of participants who reported recent sea turtle consumption had an increased likelihood of high metal levels even after adjusting for sex, age, and consumption of fish that bioaccumulate heavy metals. Conservation efforts may be more successful when they appeal to people's self‐interest rather than merely focusing on ecological benefits. Concerns about toxins in sharks, tuna, and other types of deep‐sea fish have reduced human consumption of some species. Both sea turtle conservation and human health may benefit from awareness campaigns that emphasize the adverse outcomes associated with eating sea turtles while continuing to affirm the economic benefits of healthy ecosystems. Transdisciplinary research that draws on ecology, epidemiology, toxicology, law, and public policy provides a valuable foundation for solving complex health issues. Creative reframing of biodiversity concerns will be necessary for promoting planetary health in a time of accelerating environmental change. 尽管一系列限制贸易和获取受威胁及濒危物种的法律已经在墨西哥实施了几十年，但人类对海龟的消费在整个墨西哥仍然很普遍。非法食用海龟对动物保护构成风险，而肉中的病原体能对人类健康产生不利影响。2017年，我们对22个沿海社区的201名成年居民的饮食、健康和环境态度进行了调查，并收集了头发样本进行重金属检测。很大一部分样本的重金属含量很高，包括汞(87%)、砷(81%)、铅(65%)、铝(57%)和镉(31%)。比值比表明，即使在调整了性别、年龄和食用会生物积累重金属的鱼类之后，28%的参与者（报告称近期食用过海龟）体内金属含量较高的可能性仍然增加。当动物保护举措诉诸人们的自身利益而不是仅仅关注生态效益时，这些举措可能会更成功。对鲨鱼、金枪鱼以及其他深海鱼类毒素的担忧减少了人类对某些物种的消费。海龟保护和人类健康都可能受益于宣传活动，这些活动强调与食用海龟相关的不利后果，同时继续肯定健康生态系统的经济效益。利用生态学、流行病学、毒理学、法律和公共政策的跨学科研究为解决复杂的健康问题一事提供了宝贵的基础。在加速环境变化的时代，为了促进地球健康，有必要创造性地重新界定生物多样性关切。 El consumo humano de tortugas marinas sigue prevaleciendo en todo México a pesar de que desde hace varias décadas existen leyes que restringen el comercio y la captura de especies amenazadas y en peligro de extinción. El consumo ilegal de tortugas marinas representa un riesgo para la conservación animal y los patógen