Ms. Judith Dixon
Fish advisories are put into place to protect people from potential health risk due fish contamination, and wildlife by the shore. It’s the primary responsibility of the states and Native American tribes to make sure the advisories are enforced. If high concentrations of chemicals such as PCB’s and mercury happen to be found in the local fish or wildlife, the state then issues the advisory. It’s called consumption advisory for the general public. They also classify pregnant women, children, and nursing mothers as a sensitive subpopulation. Consumption advisory may recommend avoiding or limiting the types of fish to be eaten. There are five types of advisories and bans that are issued by states.
-
No consumption for the general population health risk when levels of contamination are high
-
No consumption for sensitive subpopulations chemical levels is high in fish and wildlife. They should avoid eating certain types of fish caught locally.
-
Restricted consumption for the general population.
-
-
Health risk when too much fish or wildlife is consumed. General population should limit eating certain types of fish locally caught. This includes wildlife.
-
-
Restricted consumption for sensitive subpopulations. Health risk if too much fish is consumed when chemical levels are high. Limit the eating of only certain types of fish and wildlife by the shore.
-
-
Commercial Fishing Ban
-
This ban is issued when the levels of contamination are high in fish that are caught for commercial purposes. The bans prohibit the sale fish, shellfish and wildlife from certain bodies of water.
Advisories have increased from 1993 to 2000. In the Unites States the advisories have increased due to four dominant contaminants: mercury, PCB’s, dioxins, and DDT.
Assessments, quality monitoring, and data collection reflect an increase in fish advisories. In 2000 the number of advisories 2,838 which is a 7% increase from 1999. In 1999 there were 2,651 advisories. Since 1993 the total number of advisories has increased by 124%.
(GPO, 2001)