Directive No. (1/98) on mercury content in fish products

1 Government of the Union of Myanmar Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES DIRECTIVE No. (1/98) August 3, 1998 In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 23 of the Myanma Marine Fisheries Law 1990, the Director General of the Department of Fish eries hereby issues; the following Directive for determining analysis methods, sampling plans and maximum Jim.its for mercury in fishery products. I . J The mean total mercury content, as determined by the analysis referred to in clause 3 .1 of this directive, of the edible parts of fishery products must not exceed 0.5 ppm of fresh product (0.5 miUigrans per kilo of fresh weight). This average limit is, however, increased to 1 ppm of fresh product (1 milligram per kilo of fresh weight) for the edible parts of the species listed in the Annex. 2. 1 Analysis method for the purpose of determining mercury contents in fish and fishery products must be carried out in accordance with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) method, 3. l Sampling plan for detennining mercury contents in fish and fishery products must be carried out accordjng to the following manner. (a) Product types: (i) species listed in the following Annex. (ii) other species. (b) The minimum number of samples to be taken per lot for each product category· shall be: category ( i ): 10 samples taken from five different individuals, 2 categm:y ( H ): five samples taken from the five different individuals. 3.2 The analysis shall be carried.out on the finely homogenized mixture of the samples so as to obtained the mean value of the mercury content. 4. I The mean total mercury content referred to in clause I. l will be reviewed when new weekJy permissible intakes for mercury are laid down at international level. Rejection of Jot for export 5 .1 If an authorized officer inspects fish and fishery product that does not meet the requirements of this Directive, officer shall reject the food for export. 6.1 Any licence-holder for the processing of fish and fishery products sha\\ abide by this Directive as one of the conditions of the licence. 6.2 On violation of the any terms or conditions of the Directive, criminal action may be taken under Section 45 of the Myanma Marine Fisheries Law and the licence-holder may be liable to suspension. revocatior1;, tennination and cancellation of the licence under Section 24 of the said Law. Sd xxSoe Win Director General Department of Fisheries. Sharks (aJI species) Tuna (Thunnus spp.) ANNEX Little tuna (Eutbynnus spp.) Bonito {$arda spp.) Plain bonito (Oreynopsis unicolor) .Swordfish (Xipbias gladius) Sai\ihh (Istiopborus platypterus) Marlin (Makaira spp.) Eel (Anguilla spp.) Bass (Dicentrarebus Jabrax) Sturgeon (Acipenser spp.) Halibut (Hippoglossus bippogJossus) Redfish (Subsets marinas S.mental) Blue lingo (Molva dipterygia) Atlantic catfish (Anarbicbas lupus) Pike {Es.ox \ucius) Portuguese dogfish (Centroscymnes coelolepis) Rays (Raja spp.) Scabbardfishes (Lepidopus caudatus. Aphanopus carbo} AngJerfish (Lophius spp.)