The Safety of Fresh Water Fish The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service

Objectives General nutritional benefits The safety of freshwater fish from Georgia Potential contaminants Guidelines for the public Guidelines for pregnant women, women of childbearing age, nursing mothers and young children Healthy and safe meals for you and your family

Fish Nutrition High in protein Low in calories Low in total fat and saturated fat High polyunsaturated fat High in omega-3 fatty acids

Omega 3 Fatty Acids May prevent blood platelets from clogging and sticking to artery walls. May prevent the hardening of vessel walls. Found mostly in higher fat, cold water varieties of fish: Mackerel, albacore tuna, salmon, sardines, and lake trout

Fish Nutrition Recommendation for the General Public: Eat fish or seafood two or three times a week. (4 to 8 ounces of fish per meal) Eat freshwater fish based on Georgia’s fish advisories for specific lakes and streams. Eat a variety of different types of fish.

Are Georgia’s Fish Safe to Eat?: Routine monitoring of state waters by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Guidelines for Eating Fish from Georgia Waters 2002 Update-DNR Recommendations based on: Type of fish Size of fish Potential chemical contaminants 2002 Update Guidelines for Eating Fish from Georgia Waters

Recommendations for Eating Georgia’s Fish DNR guidelines for how often freshwater fish can be eaten from Georgia’s lakes and streams. “No Restrictions” “1 meal/ week” “1 meal/ month” “Do Not Eat”

Chemical Tests for Potential Contaminants 43 contaminants are tested for in Georgia’s fish Contaminants that have been detected Mercury PCB’s - banned Chlordane - banned DDT (DDE/DDD) Dieldrin

Mercury Natural metal Manmade sources Forms: liquid, solid, gas Released into the air and water

How Mercury Makes it into the Environment

If You Break a Thermometer Be sure not to touch the mercury. Remove all jewelry and watches, as mercury will bond to the metal. Put on rubber gloves. Gather mercury beads with stiff paper.

If You Break a Thermometer Use an eyedropper to suction up mercury beads and place in a container that can be tightly sealed. Place any and all materials that came into contact with the mercury into a plastic bag labeled “Toxic Mercury” and contact your local Health Department for disposal instructions. Wash any mercury contaminated skin.

If You Break a Thermometer NEVER use household chemicals to clean up mercury. NEVER use a vacuum to suck up mercury.

How Fish Become Contaminated Absorb PCB’s, chlordane and pesticides from water, sediment on the bottom of lakes, and food. Accumulates in fish fat Mercury is absorbed from water and food. Accumulates in fish meat Larger and older fish that eat smaller, younger fish may have more contaminants.

The Mercury (Hg) Food Chain

In the Human Body Mercury collects in the brain, the central nervous system, and the kidneys. Very young children and fetuses are most susceptible. High levels of mercury can cause babies to have vision problems and learning disabilities.

Commercial Fish and Pregnancy The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that pregnant women, women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, nursing mothers and children under 6 years of age not eat large fish species which contain high levels of mercury.

Fish With Highest Mercury Levels Tilefish Swordfish King Mackerel (fresh, frozen or canned) Shark

Commercial Fish and Pregnancy FDA suggests that a moderate amount of other fish, about 12 ounces of cooked fish a week, can safely be eaten. shellfish canned fish smaller ocean fish farm-raised fish

Freshwater Fish and Pregnancy The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the DNR Stricter recommendations than FDA Limit consumption of all freshwater fish to one meal per week due to mercury and other contaminants. Except for fish with “1 meal/ month” and “Do Not Eat” recommendations 6 oz cooked fish for adults; 2 oz cooked fish for children U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Reduce Your Risk Eat smaller, younger gamefish (within legal limits): bass, walleye. Eat panfish: bluegill, perch, stream trout and smelt. Less likely to have pollutants. Eat less fatty fish: lake trout, bottom feeders such as carp and catfish. Eat smaller portions and vary type of fish eaten. United States Environmental Protection Agency

Reduce Your Risk Cleaning Fish Remove skin, fat and internal organs. Throw away head, guts, kidneys, and liver. Clean and dress fish as soon as possible. Follow proper food handling and storage techniques Keep fish on ice out of direct sunlight. United States Environmental Protection Agency

Reduce Your Risk Cooking Fish Reduce the amount of fat drippings eaten. Eat less fried fish. Remove skin before fish is smoked. Mercury is not reduced with cooking. Mercury is found in the fish meat. United States Environmental Protection Agency

Summary Low-fat, healthy meal options for families. Freshwater fish are routinely monitored and are generally considered safe to eat. Pregnant women, women of childbearing age, nursing mothers, and young children should take a few more precautions, but fish is still a good choice. Eat a variety of different types of fish. Eat fish within moderation.