Fishing is fun and fish are an important part of a healthy diet. Fish contain high quality protein, essential nutrients, healthy fish oils and are low in saturated fat. However, some fish contain chemicals at levels that may be harmful to your health. The primary chemicals of concern in Hudson River fish are called polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and they can build up in your body over time. Health problems that may result from eating fish with PCBs range from small changes in health that are hard to detect to effects on birthweight and cancer. (Visit www.health.ny.gov/fish for more info.) Eating Hudson River fish can be a concern because fish can have many thousands times more PCBs than the surrounding water. New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) offers advice about eating fish you catch. The health advice about which fish to eat depends upon:
Who You Are
Women of childbearing age (under 50) and children under 15 should not eat fish or crabs from the Hudson River from the Corinth Dam to the New York City Battery. Women who eat highly contaminated fish and become pregnant may have an increased risk of having children who are slower to develop and learn. Chemicals may have a greater effect on the development of young children or unborn babies. Also, some chemicals may be passed on in mother’s milk. Women beyond their childbearing years and men may face fewer health risks from PCBs. For hat reason, the advice for women over age 50 and men over age 15 allows them to eat more kinds of sport fish and more often, particularly in the lower Hudson.
Where You Fish
The advice on eating Hudson fish depends upon where on the river you fish. The Hudson River around Hudson Falls has been more affected by industrial chemicals. In general, fish from the lower Hudson are less contaminated. For example, from the Troy Dam to the Bridge at Catskill, no one is advised to eat striped bass. However, south of Catskill, men and older women can eat up to one striped bass meal a month. The Hudson River advice also applies to its tributaries and connected waters if there are no dams, falls or barriers to stop the fish from moving upstream. This is because chemicals remain in fish when they move from one waterbody to another.
What You Catch
Some species (kinds of fish) have higher levels of chemicals than others. In general, smaller fish are less contaminated than larger, older fish of the same species. PCBs are also found at higher levels in the fat of fish. Reduce PCBs by trimming, skinning and cooking your catch as shown in the diagram on the back of brochure. Certain species with a lot of fat, like catfish and eels, should be avoided because they have high levels of PCBs.
Visit www.health.ny.gov/fish for the latest fish advisory information
