11/25/24 - 156 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/54ukts8z
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Pennsylvania Issues Updated Fish Consumption Advisories For 2012
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State officials Thursday released an updated list of fish consumption advisories that adds three new advisories, increases the restrictions on one advisory and eases or lifts four other advisories.
The new list also changes the segment description on five existing advisories and clarifies that harvesting live mussels and clams in Pennsylvania is now prohibited, which affects the existing one-meal-per-month advisory for Corbicula, or Asiatic clam, on the Schuylkill River.
The annual advisories are developed through a partnership between the Fish and Boat Commission and the state departments of Environmental Protection, Health and Agriculture. They apply only to fish caught recreationally and not to fish raised for commercial purposes or those bought in stores or restaurants.
"Consumption advisories are not intended to discourage anyone from fishing or eating fresh fish in moderation," DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. "At-risk groups and those who regularly eat sport fish are most susceptible to contaminants that can build up in fish over time, so they should space out fish meals according to these advisories and in consultation with their physician."
"Pennsylvania's fish consumption message is consistent with the story being told throughout the country--eat fish, but choose wisely," PFBC Executive Director John Arway said. "Pennsylvania's waters offer a bounty of clean, safe fish for people to eat. The information provided today helps guide consumers when they are making their choices."
All of Pennsylvania remains under a blanket advisory that recommends limiting consumption of any recreationally caught fish to one meal per week. This is designed to protect against eating large amounts of fish from waters that have not been tested, certain species that have not been tested or fish that may contain other unidentified contaminants. One meal is considered to be one-half pound of fish for a 150-pound person.
While fish can be part of a healthy, balanced diet, some fish caught in Pennsylvania may contain chemicals of concern, such as mercury and Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs. These contaminants are found in some waterways because of their use in industry before many environmental regulations existed.
Consumers can reduce their risk of exposure to organic contaminants by properly cleaning, skinning, trimming and cooking fish. Proper preparation generally includes trimming away fat and broiling or grilling the fish to allow remaining fat to drip away. Juices and fats that cook out of the fish should not be eaten or reused for cooking or preparing other foods.
For more information, visit DEP's Fish Advisories webpage.
Where Not To Eat The Fish
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2/27/2012 |
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