Fish Consumption Advisories

 

Baton Rouge, La. (July 29, 2021) — The Louisiana Departments of Health, Environmental Quality, and Wildlife and Fisheries today issue a series of updates to six existing fish consumption advisories.

Because of mercury contamination, there are now fish consumption advisories for 49 waterways in Louisiana and one for the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana fish consumption advisories are based on the estimate that the average resident eats four meals of fish per month. Consuming more than this from local water bodies may increase health risks. Mercury is an element that occurs naturally in the environment. Consequently, there are small amounts of mercury in the sediments of streams, lakes, rivers and oceans. Nearly all fish contain trace amounts of mercury. They absorb mercury as they feed on aquatic organisms. Larger predator fish contain more mercury than smaller fish. It is recommended that smaller fish be consumed instead of larger ones. People are exposed to low levels of mercury throughout their lives. Eating contaminated fish is one way we are exposed to mercury. Health effects from harmful levels of mercury can include nervous system and kidney damage. Young children and developing fetuses are more sensitive to the toxic effects of mercury. Therefore, consumption advisories are issued at lower fish tissue concentrations for women of childbearing age and children under 7 years of age. The full text for each advisory is posted online at www.ldh.la.gov/EatSafeFish or by calling toll-free 1- 888-293-7020. You may also access the information by downloading the Department of Environmental Quality's new app which is available through Google Play (DEQ Fish Advisories) and the App Store (LA Fish Advisories).

https://deq.louisiana.gov/page/fishing-consumption-and-swimming-advisories