Fish Consumption Advisories are issued by the New York State Department of Health (DOH). In contaminated water bodies, many fish have accumulated toxins that could be harmful to human health. If a species of fish has harmful chemicals then the DOH issues a fish consumption advisory to warn people about the contaminant and to advise what amount of the fish is safe to eat. Contaminants in fish have varying affects on human health, some cases have little impact while others have led to birth defects and cancer. Some groups are more strongly affected by contaminants than others. Infants, children under the age of 15 and women of childbearing age are particularly vulnerable, and the DOH recommends these groups do not eat any fish from the specific waterbodies listed in the advisory. This is because the toxins could cause increased harm to the developing organs in a fetus or a young child. Women who eat highly contaminated fish before a pregnancy could have children who are slower to develop and learn, as in the case of PCBs. Furthermore, chemicals can be passed onto babies through a mother’s milk.
Women beyond their childbearing years and men face fewer health risks than the aforementioned more vulnerable groups. Also, it may take months or years of routinely consuming contaminated fish before chemicals have built up to an amount that is a health concern.
As a precaution, do not eat any fish or game if they are found dead or dying, act abnormally or seem sick. When preparing fish, use a method of filleting the fish that will reduce the skin, fatty material and dark meat. These parts of the fish contain many of the contaminants. However, these precautions will not reduce the amount of mercury or other metals. Mercury is distributed throughout a fish, rather than in the fat and skin. When eating fish, use cooking methods such as broiling, poaching, boiling and baking, which allow contaminants from the fatty portions of fish to drain out. Pan frying is not recommended. The cooking liquids and fat drippings of fish from contaminated waters should be discarded since these liquids may retain contaminants.
When deciding which fish to eat, choose smaller fish, consistent with DEC regulations, within a species since they may have lower contaminant levels. Older, and larger, fish within a species may be more contaminated because they have had more time to accumulate contaminants in their bodies. Do not eat the soft green tissue (mustard, tomalley, liver or hepatopancreas) found in the body section of crab and lobster. This tissue has been found to contain high levels of chemical contaminants, including PCBs and heavy metals. Anglers who want to enjoy the fun of fishing but who wish to eliminate the potential risks associated with eating contaminated fish may want to consider "catch and release" fishing.