New Jersey Updates Fish Consumption Advisories

 

The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has updated existing fish consumption advisories to take into consideration the health concerns associated with eating a variety of fish and shellfish. Although seafood contains high quality protein, some recreationally caught fish and crabs contain unsafe levels of dioxins, PCBs and mercury.

In the Newark Bay watershed, which includes the Hackensack River and its tributaries, a “do not eat” warning was issued for American eel and white perch. Previous guidelines had called for limited consumption of the two species.

Restrictions against eating striped bass caught in the Newark Bay complex were reduced, recommending no more than four meals a year rather than one meal for the general population. High-risk individuals -- who include pregnant women, women planning to become pregnant, nursing mothers, infants and children -- are warned to not eat striped bass under any circumstances.

The advisories confirmed elevated dioxin levels in blue crabs taken from the Passaic River/Newark Bay area, which have a longstanding “do not eat” warning. A new warning was also issued for eating winter flounder (fluke) caught in downstream areas of the Hudson River. Only one meal per month is recommended. The state also warned that white perch caught in the Raritan Bay and the Raritan River be consumed just once a year. Striped bass and weakfish should be consumed just once a month, and not at all by pregnant women and others at risk.

“These latest advisories strike a balance between the benefits and risks associated with eating locally caught fish and crabs,” said DEP Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson. “The fact remains that eating fish is smart and risk can be reduced if consumers follow the guidance in the advisories.”

The updated advisories were prompted by the results of a DEP-commissioned study by the Academy of Natural Sciences. Results indicate that while PCB levels continue to decline in striped bass and bluefish caught in New Jersey’s ocean waters, they still exceed advisory triggers. The results also confirm elevated dioxin levels in blue crabs taken from the Passaic River/Newark Bay area. The advisories contain new recommendations for weakfish, porgy, winter flounder and lobster taken from certain waters.

“Residents should always be aware that environmental contaminants can create health risks for people eating freshly caught seafood from local waters,” said DHSS Commissioner Fred M. Jacobs, M.D., J.D. “However, by following the guidelines in our advisories New Jerseyans can safely include fish and shellfish they’ve caught as a part of their healthy diet.”

The best way to reduce exposure to contaminants in fish is to learn what fish species are affected and to limit or avoid consumption. However, if you choose to eat those species under advisories, there are steps you can take to reduce your exposure. Contaminants tend to concentrate in the fatty tissue of the fish you catch.

Proper cleaning and cooking techniques, which remove some of the fat from the fish, can significantly reduce levels of PCBs, dioxins and other organic chemicals. However, these techniques will not reduce or remove unsafe levels of mercury from fish.

The Academy of Natural Science data and the updated advisories can be found online at: www.FishSmartEatSmartNJ.org.