About this book

Much scientific information on the health benefits of eating seafood is accumulating, yet relatively little of this information has been effectively communicated to the general public, largely because of the technical, specialised nature of many research findings. However, a project funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation — in keeping with the Corporation’s strategy of developing knowledge of seafood and seafood products among consumers — radically changed that situation. FRDC project 1996/340, Enhanced usage of contemporary scientific findings on health benefits of seafood to promote fresh seafood consumption, collated and distilled the results of a broad collection of scientific research and made them more widely available. This book builds on the project’s outputs by presenting the findings specifically to people who market seafood.[1]

The project reviewed and analysed a substantial number of scientific papers and found that consumption of seafood has positive health benefits for all age groups and has significantly higher benefits for certain medical conditions. However, the level of evidence to support these benefits varies significantly. The project’s final report provides in-depth technical support for the information in this book. The project also establishes a clear path from the original research to the statements made in this document.

Acknowledgements

The FRDC is grateful for the enthusiastic cooperation of many people who gave their expertise and time to help to prepare this book.

The FRDC research and development project from which most of the book is derived — project 1996/340 — was undertaken by Dr Shawn Somerset and Martin Bowerman. The research material was then synthesised by Matthew Huggan. Extensive comment and advice, especially on presenting complex research findings to general audiences, was subsequently provided by some of Australia’s leading nutritionists and medical specialists. The principal contributors and commentators were Professor Peter Howe, Dr Rosemary Stanton, Dr Richard Telford, Dr David Topping, Professor Mark Wahlqvist, Phillip Walsh and Dr Naiyana Tikky Wattanapenpaiboon.

Text and commentary from contributors was selectively edited and further developed by Dr Patrick Hone, Clive Huggan and Michael Parolin. It was then exhaustively examined and subsequently brought up to date by Professor Mark Wahlqvist and Dr Naiyana Tikky Wattanapenpaiboon. Consequently, the final text is not necessarily consistent with all contributed material.

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