Residents from Taiji, the area better known for its capturing and killing of dolphins and small whales are carrying dangerously high mercury levels, likely because of their fondness for dolphin and whale meat. The latest studies published by the Japanese government show that meat from bottlenose dolphins had about 1,000 times the mercury content of that from sardines.

The levels of mercury detected in Taiji residents were above the national average, but according to the National Institute for Minamata Disease, residents would have no ill effects eating the meat, tests were done on hair samples from 1,137 volunteers from the approx 3,500 residents. Results however clearly suggest there is a connection between hair mercury levels and eating cetaceans, mercury accumulates up the food chain, so large predators such as dolphins, tuna and swordfish tend to have the highest levels. The latest studies published by the Japanese government show that meat from bottlenose dolphins had about 1,000 times the mercury content of that from sardines. The Health Ministry recommends that pregnant women eat at most 80 grams of bottlenose dolphin per two months.

The tests were done from June of last year to February of this year and a meeting was recently held to confirm the results. TheTaiji residents with the highest levels were advised to cut back on large species of fish and dolphin meat. Striped dolphin was served for lunch.