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South Carolinians who like to fish can go online for updated information to find out if the fish on their line is safe to eat or should be released because of possible contamination, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported.
“DHEC’s web site at www.scdhec.gov/fish has a state map with the latest advisories, information, a booklet and other materials that can be downloaded,” said David Wilson, chief of DHEC’s Bureau of Water. “This information will help our citizens determine whether to keep and eat the fish they catch in South Carolina waters or release them back into the water.” Wilson said fish consumption advisories exist on 60 state water bodies and the Atlantic Ocean because of mercury contamination. There are indications that levels of mercury in fish tissue may be declining slightly. Goose Creek Reservoir and Back River Reservoir, both in Berkeley County, are no longer under any advisory. No water bodies were added to the advisory list. Consumption advisories suggest safe amounts of fish for meals, with a meal being a half-pound (or 8-ounce) serving of raw fish before cooking, which would be about the size of two decks of cards. People also should check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in local lakes, rivers and coastal areas. If no advice is available, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advise that people can eat up to six ounces per week of cooked fish caught in local waters, but shouldn’t consume any other fish during that week. DHEC warns that pregnant women, women planning to become pregnant, infants and children should not eat any fish containing mercury. Mercury is a neurotoxin. Infants and children are particularly sensitive to the effects of mercury since their nervous systems are still forming. While a water body might have advisories issued on certain species, other species in the same water body might have no restrictions. Earlier this year, DHEC posted signs at public boat landings on waters where advisories are issued. The signs show all species of fish that have restrictions on consumption. There is also advice posted for women of childbearing age and children under 14 years of age. “People can still safely eat fish taken from the state’s waters if they follow the consumption guidelines for specific species of fish,” Wilson said. “The contamination is in the fish and does not make the water unsafe for recreational or drinking uses.” DHEC has tested over 2,000 fish samples for mercury from water bodies throughout the state since the last advisory update in 2007. Consumption advisories because of mercury now are in effect for a total of 42 South Carolina rivers, creeks and streams and 18 lakes. Freshwater fish advisories for inland lakes and rivers have been issued for mercury contamination since 1994. An advisory has also been in effect on Lake Hartwell since 1976 due to PCB contamination. A naturally occurring metal, mercury can come from air deposition from coal-burning facilities and incinerators. In water, it can be converted to an organic form called methylmercury, which can build up in fish tissue. If eaten in large enough amounts, methylmercury can cause nervous system damage, particularly in infants. The EPA and FDA advised pregnant women, women who might become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children to avoid some types of fish and eat fish and shellfish that have lower concentrations of mercury. Fish to avoid include shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish. Fish and shellfish, however, are an important part of a healthy diet for everyone, including women and children. Fish and shellfish contain protein and nutrients, are low in saturated fat and contain omega-3 fatty acids. The federal agencies urge people to eat up to 12 ounces (about two average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury, such as shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock and catfish. If a person’s choice for a weekly fish meal is albacore tuna, then only six ounces should be eaten because it has more mercury than canned light tuna. Information on the FDA’s advisory can be found at www.fda.gov or at EPA’s Web site at www.epa.gov. You also can call FDA, toll free, at 1-888-SAFEFOOD. These Web sites also contain lists of seafood that are lower in mercury levels and therefore safer to consume. More than 60,000 copies of the consumption advisory booklets have been printed and can be obtained from local health departments, Environmental Quality Control regional offices, S.C. Department of Natural Resources district offices, Sportsman’s Warehouse in Columbia, Bass Pro Shop in Myrtle Beach, OB/GYN offices, health clinics, many state parks or by calling DHEC's Division of Environmental Community Health toll free, at 1-888-849-7241. The 2008 advisory information is on the Web at www.scdhec.gov/fish. (Image provided by www.ncwildlife.org.)
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