MIAMI VALLEY -- The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has updated its fish consumption advisory and has add a more restrictive advisory for certain fish found in the Great Miami River.
According to the Ohio EPA, samples taken in 2011 led to a once a month advisory for freshwater drum due to mercury rather than PCBs, with a limit of 16 inches and larger, and largemouth bass has been updated to cover all sizes.
Tighter restrictions also were suggested for Lake Erie and parts of the Scioto River.
The EPA also relaxed some advisories because of lower mercury levels found in fish. Those advisories are for the Ashtabula River, Deer Creek, Pike, Ross, Deer Creek and Stonelick lakes for a variety of fish.
This yearâs Ohio fish consumption advisory includes updates for several locations based on samples that were taken from five lakes and 12 streams in 2011. Fish consumption evaluations help Ohio anglers make informed decisions about consuming their catch.
Ohio fish advisories can be found on Ohio EPAâs website, or call 614-644-2160 to request a copy. Fish consumption advisory contact information will be provided to anglers with fishing license purchases beginning Friday.
More information about fish consumption can be found at Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Centers, local health departments, Ohio EPA and Ohio Department of Natural Resources district offices.
A statewide advisory of one fish meal per week due to mercury remains for all fish not otherwise mentioned. Mercury poses a greater health risk to women of child-bearing age, pregnant and nursing mothers and children under 15. Fish contaminated with high levels of mercury have been shown to cause neurological damage and impaired development in young children.
According to the Ohio EPA, samples taken in 2011 led to a once a month advisory for freshwater drum due to mercury rather than PCBs, with a limit of 16 inches and larger, and largemouth bass has been updated to cover all sizes.
Tighter restrictions also were suggested for Lake Erie and parts of the Scioto River.
The EPA also relaxed some advisories because of lower mercury levels found in fish. Those advisories are for the Ashtabula River, Deer Creek, Pike, Ross, Deer Creek and Stonelick lakes for a variety of fish.
- EPA WEBSITE: Read the entire list and other advisories and advice
This yearâs Ohio fish consumption advisory includes updates for several locations based on samples that were taken from five lakes and 12 streams in 2011. Fish consumption evaluations help Ohio anglers make informed decisions about consuming their catch.
Ohio fish advisories can be found on Ohio EPAâs website, or call 614-644-2160 to request a copy. Fish consumption advisory contact information will be provided to anglers with fishing license purchases beginning Friday.
More information about fish consumption can be found at Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Centers, local health departments, Ohio EPA and Ohio Department of Natural Resources district offices.
A statewide advisory of one fish meal per week due to mercury remains for all fish not otherwise mentioned. Mercury poses a greater health risk to women of child-bearing age, pregnant and nursing mothers and children under 15. Fish contaminated with high levels of mercury have been shown to cause neurological damage and impaired development in young children.