Celebrating Spring and Healthy Herring

Dreamtime Wellness ™ Photo copy

The Long-Awaiting Coming of Spring Begins Tomorrow!

As Joey mentioned, it’s time for the ‘Annual River Herring Count’ – April 1st – May 30th. 

Herring 1280px-Clupea_harengus_Gervais.flipped

In honor of herring, here is information about their ecological importance and health benefits! Herring are – 

  • High in Omega-3, (healthy fatty acids EPA + DHA, which are considered important for brain function, eye health, and may help decrease inflammation.)
  • Source of Vitamin D
  • Considered to be lower in mercury levels due to their small size (Note: Pregnant women need to check with there physician regarding fish consumption.)
  • Important part of the marine food chain.
  • Harvested sustainably
  • Extremely valuable to the fishing economy in Northeastern United States

Food Chain and Herring

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/fish-herring-wcani

River (Alewife and Blueback) Herring –

  • Their health and well-being are a reflection of the overall state of the coastal ecosystem.
  • Their count can represent the health of marine life, as well as any watershed problems (such as man-made alteration of the natural hydrology, and water pollution.)

Fishing for Herring – Join the Count!  April 1st – May 30th.

To become a volunteer monitor and help efforts to protect this important species, contact:

Dave Sargent/ Alewife Warden @ 978-282-8018 – dsargent@gloucester-ma.gov

or Max Schenk @ 978-282-8025 – mschenk@gloucester-ma..gov

Herring Grilled Nishin

Grilled (‘Nishin’) Herring

I don’t know about you, but I am craving some grilled herring as I write this!  (‘Nishin’ is Japanese for herring.) – http://tokyostation-yukari.blogspot.com/2010/01/grilled-nishin-herring.html

Sources  –

Association to Protect Cape Cod. – http://www.apcc.org/herring/

Dr Weil – http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400957/Herring-or-Sardines.html

Fisheries and Oceans, Canada – http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/education/lessonplans-lecons/whale-epaulard-eng.html

National Geographic – http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/fish-herring-wcani

Natural Resources Defense Council – http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/guide.asp

NOAA Fish watch – http://www.fishwatch.gov/seafood_profiles/species/herring/species_pages/atl_herring.htm

 

Happy, Healthy Spring to All of You!  And May the River Herring be Healthy Too!   

~ Karen Pischke B.S.N., R.N.

 

Owner and Founder of Dreamtime Wellness™ Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spiritwww.DreamtimeWellness.com Follow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dreamtime-Wellness-/348619611849199

 

Disclaimer: This blog pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about health and related sub­jects. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this blog, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately licensed physi­cian or other health care worker. Never dis­re­gard pro­fes­sional med­ical advice or delay in seek­ing it because of some­thing you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a med­ical emer­gency, call your doc­tor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other insti­tu­tion with which the authors are affiliated.