Months back I wrote a similar article but think this is a good time to bring it back up. The story about RFK Jr. his brain worm and mercury poisoning made me want to write a new article. This is a subject I get really upset about. Our rivers, lakes, and oceans contamination with chemicals or other things. Now it seems microplastics should be considered. I haven’t seen any state fish consumption advisories on that yet. Some of the advisories on mercury are from natural sources others man made problems. Pollution has been a big deal for me for a long time. Another thing to think about it not only affects us, but also the fish and animals that eat those fish. The health of our waters should be important to all.
First whether or not you think your state has a problem do a search for fish consumption adisory. States normally break it down by who is consuming the fish. I.E. women of child bearing age and children. Then females above child bearing age and men. So please look up your state. Example: (Your state) fish consumption advisory. I’m going to add some links for different states as a further example.
Texas fish consumption advisory
Maine fish consumption advisory
North Carolina fish consumption advisory
Now this is a new thing for me. Florida has a new twist on fish consumption advisories. Instead of saying limit consumption to one meal a week or month they put it as eat up to a maximum one meal a month. Kind of like putting a happy face on it and saying it’s great to eat. But then I would expect no more from Florida and it’s surgeon general. Their big concern is mercury.
Florida fish consumption advisory
Now Alabama has a long advisory on fish consumption. They also list some places you don’t eat any fish from the riveror creek.Yes, it’s that bad.
Alabama fish consumption advisory
Louisiana is so bad they combined the fish consumption advisory with a don’t swim advisory for some bayous.
Louisiana swimming and fish advisory
Oklahoma has figured out it’s best to not check rivers or streams. That keeps us all safe right? However they do say don’t eat catfish from Bitter Creek because of pesticides.
Oklahoma rivers and streams.
There isn’t a one stop place to see what is happening. Just a bunch of links to different pages that really don’t say much. Here’s a link about mercury. But doesn’t have anything other then the EPA’s general advisory on mercury levels in fish. Not sure if that means they don’t have a problem or just don’t know.
Oklahoma mercury levels
Oh wait, they do know they have a mercury problem in their lakes. I guess it’s just a oversight and will soon be updating the site. Ok, still waiting after almost a year from this news report.
News report on mercury in Oklahoma lakes.
Moving on.
California has a page to direct you to individual locations. Click on the location and it will show you the advisory.
California fish consumption advisory
South Dakota main concern seems to be mercury.
South Dakota fish consumption advisory
Kind of surprised i couldn’t find any problems with pesticides. Oh, wait it seems all the crop dusting the corn crops aren’t really enough of a problem to focus on.
Kelo's news article on fish consumption.