May 23, 2000

Eating Local Fish Safely

One popular way to enjoy the outdoors either alone, as a family, or with friends, is to go fishing. Here in Connecticut, a number of scenic lakes, rivers, ponds and streams afford the opportunity to participate in this form of recreation and relaxation while providing a low cost source of protein for our diets. Unfortunately, fish tend to absorb the chemicals in their environment, and some of those chemicals can have adverse health effects.

In order to minimize any risks associated with eating fish caught in Connecticut waters, the State Department of Public Health (DPH) is distributing a pamphlet entitled “If I Catch It, Can I Eat It?” The pamphlet provides information about which chemicals can be hazardous to health, what kinds and how much fish people can eat safely, a map of Connecticut indicating the location of specific bodies of water that are of special concern, and a general advisory for the rest of the state.

The toxins that can accumulate in fish include mercury (can damage the nervous system and kidneys), PCB’s (may cause cancer), and chlordane (can cause cancer). All three chemicals are of special concern for young children and for developing fetuses during pregnancy, so all women who are pregnant, women who are planning to become pregnant within 1 year, and children under the age of 6 are considered to be in the high risk group. Anyone categorized as a high risk should limit eating most fish caught in Connecticut to one meal per month. All others should eat not more than one meal per week of fish from Connecticut waters.

The DPH recommends eating small fish, such as perch, small trout, sunfish, and flounder instead of large fish. This is because toxins are able to build up in fish to levels that are thousands of times higher than the levels found in the water, and large fish tend to have the highest levels of PCB’s and mercury. Residents also can reduce the likelihood of ingesting PCBs by removing all fatty portions of fish (skin, organs, dark fatty tissue, heads) since PCBs are primarily found in fat.

It is important to note that the amount of mercury and PCBs in Connecticut’s waters does not constitute a health hazard from swimming and wading. However, not all bodies of water that are safe for fishing are swimmable. Other conditions, such as the level of certain types of bacteria, must be considered in determining the safety of swimming areas. Local health officials can provide information on the advisability of swimming in specific bodies of water in their towns.

Residents can pick up a copy of the updated brochure at the offices of the Central Connecticut Health District in Wethersfield and Berlin town halls, or at the libraries or community centers in Berlin, Rocky Hill and Wethersfield. Further information on health questions is available at the Department of Public Health at (860) 509-7742. Questions regarding fishing in Connecticut should be directed to the Department of Environmental Protection at (860) 424-3474.