Winter Fish: River, Sea, or Farm? Research Reveals Safest Choice Amid Pollution Fears

• Demand for fish rises in winter for taste and nutritional benefits, but concerns about pollution in natural water bodies persist.
• Aligarh Muslim University researcher Shirjeel Ahmed Siddiqui warns about health risks from fish caught in polluted rivers and seas.
• Aquaculture (fish farming in controlled environments) is deemed safer due to clean water and controlled diets, reducing pollutant exposure.
• Fish from industrial areas absorb heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, nickel) through skin, gills, and fat, leading to biomagnification in humans.
• Consuming polluted fish can weaken immunity, damage vital organs like kidneys and liver, and increase the risk of serious diseases like cancer.

Why It Matters: Opt for farmed fish (aquaculture) over wild-caught from polluted waters to avoid health risks from heavy metals.