Lake Ontario Chinook Salmon may now be eaten once a month, except by women of childbearing age and children under 15, according the state Department of Health. This is a change from the previous advisory that warned against any consumption of the fish.
A decrease in PCBs and pesticides for these salmon over the last several years now allows monthly consumption. Previous advice of other Lake Ontario fish remains in effect.
“However, women of childbearing age and children under age 15 should continue to avoid eating all fish from any listed waters with advisories,” Dr. Richard F. Daines, state health commissioner, said in a news release. They should avoid northern pike, pickerel, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and larger yellow perch (over 10 inches) from all waters in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountain regions because of mercury contamination.
A long-standing advisory to eat no more than one meal (one half-pound) of fish per week from any freshwaters in the state and some marine waters at the mouth of the Hudson River still applies to sportfish.
Fish, low in saturated fat, are a good source of protein. Their oils lower plasma cholesterol and triglycerides and are high in health benefits. By following state health advisories, people can get these health benefits, yet reduce their exposure to contaminants.
Annual health advisories provide updated advice about how to reduce exposure to chemical contaminants in sportfish and game, important to the public, anglers, and hunters. Health advisories apply to 136 state waters.
This year, sampling data was collected from about 2,000 fish in more than 20 waters across the state. There are no other new advisories. New York's waters include more than 70,000 miles of rivers and streams, lakes, reservoirs, ponds and marine waters.
Mercury and PCBs, as well as other fish contaminants, may affect the nervous system of children born to mothers exposed to these chemicals. Some may also build up in women's bodies, and some may be passed to newborns through mother's milk. Therefore, women should follow stricter consumption advice throughout their childbearing years.
The Fishing Regulations Guide of the Department of Environmental Conservation publishes the fish advisories. Complete advisories and additional information are available at www.nyhealth.gov/environmental/outdoors/fish/fish.htm or call the Health Department's toll-free information line: (800) 458-1158, ext. 2-7815.
“However, women of childbearing age and children under age 15 should continue to avoid eating all fish from any listed waters with advisories,” Dr. Richard F. Daines, state health commissioner, said in a news release. They should avoid northern pike, pickerel, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and larger yellow perch (over 10 inches) from all waters in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountain regions because of mercury contamination.
A long-standing advisory to eat no more than one meal (one half-pound) of fish per week from any freshwaters in the state and some marine waters at the mouth of the Hudson River still applies to sportfish.
Fish, low in saturated fat, are a good source of protein. Their oils lower plasma cholesterol and triglycerides and are high in health benefits. By following state health advisories, people can get these health benefits, yet reduce their exposure to contaminants.
Annual health advisories provide updated advice about how to reduce exposure to chemical contaminants in sportfish and game, important to the public, anglers, and hunters. Health advisories apply to 136 state waters.
This year, sampling data was collected from about 2,000 fish in more than 20 waters across the state. There are no other new advisories. New York's waters include more than 70,000 miles of rivers and streams, lakes, reservoirs, ponds and marine waters.
Mercury and PCBs, as well as other fish contaminants, may affect the nervous system of children born to mothers exposed to these chemicals. Some may also build up in women's bodies, and some may be passed to newborns through mother's milk. Therefore, women should follow stricter consumption advice throughout their childbearing years.
The Fishing Regulations Guide of the Department of Environmental Conservation publishes the fish advisories. Complete advisories and additional information are available at www.nyhealth.gov/environmental/outdoors/fish/fish.htm or call the Health Department's toll-free information line: (800) 458-1158, ext. 2-7815.
