Hudson River Fish Advisory Outreach Project
The Hudson River Fish Advisory Outreach Project is a multi-year initiative of the New York State Department of Health. The goal of the Project is for all anglers and others who eat fish from the Hudson River to know about and follow the New York State fish advisories. The project area extends from Hudson Falls to the New York City Battery (PDF, 156KB, 1pg.).
What are the Project objectives?
- To encourage anglers and other fish consumers to follow the health advisories.
- To promote awareness of the advisories by posting signs at major fishing access sites on the River.
- To maintain advisory awareness through education and promotional activities to targeted populations.
- To identify reasons that anglers or other fish consumers may not follow the fish advisories and to modify outreach activities so they are more effective.
In short, the Project aims to:
- make people aware of the Hudson River fish advisories,
- help people understand the advisory messages, and
- encourage people to follow the advisories.
What are some of the key Project messages?
- Fish are nutritious and good to eat, but some fish have levels of chemicals that may be harmful to your health.
- The New York State Department of Health provides health advice for eating sportfish from New York State water bodies, including the Hudson River. The advice is a guide to how much fish is okay to eat, if any, and how to clean and cook fish to keep chemicals low.
- Women of childbearing age and children under 15 are advised to not eat any fish from the Hudson River south of the Corinth Dam.
- Advice on Eating Hudson River Fish (PDF, 692KB, 5pg.)
How will the Hudson River Fish Advisory Outreach Project do this outreach?
In addition to the outreach efforts that can be accomplished at the state level, we want to work in partnership with other state and local agencies and any other groups that share our goal.
Partners might include:
- Commercial Fisherman
- Recreational Anglers
- Boating Community Representatives
- Environmental Justice Advocates
- Immigrant Rights Advocates
- Local Health Officials
- Environmental Conservation Officials
- Parks & Recreation Officials
- Health Care Provider Representatives
- Community Group Leaders
- Food Pantry and Community Food Networks
In July 2008, grants totaling $60,500 were awarded to four community groups for community outreach to urge anglers and other fish consumers to follow the Department's Hudson River fish advisories. The four grants, representing Rockland, the upper Hudson from Troy to Fort Edward, Dutchess and Columbia counties were:
- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland County, Rockland County Department of Health and Rockland County AmeriCorps ($19,500).
- Hudson Basin River Watch and Watershed Assessment Associates ($14,000).
- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County ($14,000).
- Hudson Basin River Watch and Columbia County Department of Health ($13,000).
The Department continues to provide a total of approximately $60,000 per year in support to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland County, Rockland County Department of Health and Rockland County AmeriCorps and to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County.
Through these community partnerships, awardees promote awareness about advisories, help to identify why people may not follow the fish advisories, and develop educational tools and outreach activities. Grantees are working in a variety of settings, from fishing locations on the river to nutrition programs, clinic waiting rooms, community events, food pantries, and in programs with students and youth groups.
For more information on the Hudson River Fish Advisory Outreach Project, call 518-402-7530 or 1-800-458-1158. You may also send an email to hrfa@health.state.ny.us.
A booklet explaining specific health advice for state waters in New York, including the Hudson River, is available at http://www.health.ny.gov/fish.
Additional Information
- Infórmese mejor en Espanol
- More Information on Hudson River Fish
- Order Form for Fish Advisory Publications (PDF, 127KB, 3pg.)
- Public Service Announcements
- PCBs and Health: The Hudson River Communities Project
- Hudson River Fish Advisory Outreach Grants
- Health Advice for Eating Sportfish and Game
Contact Us
If you are interested in finding out more about the Hudson River Fish Advisory Outreach Project, please call 518-402-7530 or 1-800-458-1158 or email hrfa@health.state.ny.us.
For more information on fish advisories, call 518-402-7530 or 1-800-458-1158 or visit our website, Health Advice on Eating Sportfish and Game.
