Laboratory networks for mercury and other contaminant analyses in areas throughout the world, especially in mercury hotspots, will provide important information for the assessment of risk—to humans, wildlife, and ecosystems—in localized and regional environments.

A Mercury Monitoring Network is important for helping countries that are Parties to the Minamata Convention meet their obligations and effectively implement the Convention’s provisions. The development of an integrated network of toxicology laboratories will:

• Help facilitate countries with limited resources to be more efficient in evaluating the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention,
• Provide a way for countries to coordinate information about mercury in seafood for human and ecological health purposes, and to help build capacity within the region to make independent assessments,
• Help assist countries with sustainable economic activities related to seafood resources,
• Provide assistance to build capacity for relevant Ministries to protect human and ecological health.