State officials Friday released an updated list of fish consumption advisories for 2014 listing affected streams and lakes by river basin.

The annual advisories are developed through a partnership between the Fish and Boat Commission and the 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.

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 on the advisories and fish cleaning and cooking instructions, visit DEP’s Fish Advisory webpage.

NewsClip: Are Fish Safe To Eat In Presque Isle Bay

5/12/2014