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You are Here: Home Page > 1997 Press Releases > Health Department Issues 1997/98 Fish Consumption Advisories for Recreational Anglers  

Health Department Issues 1997/98 Fish Consumption Advisories for Recreational Anglers

Albany, March 31 – The State Health Department's 1997–98 fish consumption advisories for recreational fishing are available for anglers on the April 1st opening day of trout season for many of New York's waters. This year's fish consumption advisories include changes in two existing advisories on consumption of sport fish. New data has led to changes in the advisories for portions of the Hudson River and the Salmon River (Oswego County). These advisories are for sportfish that people catch recreationally and are not for commercial fish sold in markets.

The new advisories were developed by the Health Department based on sample results provided by the State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Upper Hudson River

A previous advisory to EAT NO fish from the Hudson River between the Niagara Mohawk boat launch (above the Sherman Island Dam) downstream to the Sherman Island dam has been changed to EAT NO MORE THAN ONE MEAL PER MONTH of any fish species. This advisory was relaxed because of new data which indicate reduced PCB levels in fish from this stretch of the river. Extensive advisories for other portions of the Hudson River remain in effect.

Salmon River

A previous advisory to EAT NO smallmouth bass from the Salmon River from its mouth on Lake Ontario to the Salmon Reservoir has been changed to EAT NO MORE THAN ONE MEAL PER MONTH. This change was because of new data showing reduced concentrations of PCB and mirex in Salmon River smallmouth bass.

Anglers should also note that extensive advisories on consumption of Lake Ontario fish also apply to this portion of the Salmon River, since it is a tributary of Lake Ontario.

The Health Department's general advisory to recreational anglers for fish taken from any fresh waterbody in the State, the Hudson River, East River and New York Harbor north of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge is to EAT NO MORE THAN ONE MEAL (½ POUND) PER WEEK and has not changed. There is also a standing advisory to women of childbearing age and children under the age of 15 not to consume any fish from any of the waters where EAT NONE or EAT NO MORE THAN ONE MEAL PER MONTH advisories are in effect for any fish species.

The annual advisories, published each spring by the Department of Health and included each fall in the State Department of Environmental Conservation's Fishing Regulations and Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guides, are developed primarily from data obtained by Environmental Conservation's ongoing monitoring programs. A copy of the complete fish and wildlife consumption advisories may be obtained by calling the Department of Health at 1–800–458–1158 extension 409.

3/31/97-34 OPA