Fish Consumption Advisories

Fish consumption advisory issued for
specific fish species at Pleasant and Roosevelt

A fish consumption advisory was announced April 24, 2009 for largemouth bass at Lake Pleasant and largemouth bass and channel catfish at Roosevelt Lake because recent samples of those specific species of fish collected at these two lakes showed elevated levels of mercury.

That brings the number of Arizona lakes with mercury consumption advisories to 14.

The consumption advisory is not directed at other fish, such as black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish and redear from either lake. The advisory does not apply to the use of the lakes for fishing, bird watching, swimming or other recreational uses.

However, anglers should take simple precautions and follow the guidelines to limit your consumption of those specific species of fish at these two lakes (see the consumption guidelines below).

Mercury can accumulate in the tissue of fish through a process called bioaccumulation. Basically, it is a food-chain effect.  Elemental mercury that is present in the environment is converted to methlymercury by bacteria.  The bacteria are then ingested by other microorganisms which are then consumed by insects and baitfish.   Health experts say those organisms likely have extremely low levels of mercury that don’t pose a known health risk.

However, each step up the food chain, as one organism consumes another; mercury levels  become more and more concentrated. Therefore, large top-of-the-line predators can experience levels beyond the consumption threshold established by health officials.


Lake Pleasant—largemouth bass:

Children under the age of six:  No consumption

Women of child-bearing age and children between 6-16 years old: One 8 oz. fish meal per month

All other adult women: One 8 oz. fish meal per month unless a doctor supports a higher consumption rate.

Adult men: Five 8 oz. fish meals per month.

Roosevelt Lake—largemouth bass and channel catfish:

Children under the age of six:  No consumption

Women of child-bearing age and children between 6-16 years old: One 8 oz. fish meal per month

All other adult women: One 8 oz. fish meal per month unless a doctor supports a higher consumption rate.

Adult men: Five 8 oz. fish meals per month

Mercury in the environment can come from various sources and can cause numerous health problems when ingested, most notably its toxicity to the central nervous system. Infants and pregnant or nursing mothers are considered most at risk to possible health effects.

In addition to Lake Pleasant and Roosevelt Lake, fish consumption advisories remain in place for the following water bodies in Arizona: Painted Rock Reservoir, Arivaca Lake, Alamo Lake, Parker Canyon Lake, Upper Lake Mary, Lower Lake Mary, Lyman Lake, Pena Blanca Lake, Coors Lake, Soldier Lake, Soldier Annex Lake and Long Lake.

For a fact sheet on fish consumption advisories in Arizona, visit  http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/assessment/download/fish-0409.pdf.

For a list of frequently asked questions about the fish consumption advisories at Lake Pleasant and Roosevelt Lake, visit http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/assessment/download/fish-pleasant.pdf and http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/assessment/download/fish-roosevelt.pdf.

For information about fish consumption advisories at other Arizona lakes, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/fish_consumption.shtml.

Additional information:

The following information has been compiled from a number of qualified health sources, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Food and Drug Administration) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (see http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/admehg3.html):

Fresh caught fish from Arizona’s lakes, rivers and streams can be an important part of a healthy diet. Fish contain high-quality protein and other essential nutrients, are low in saturated fat, and contain omega-3 fatty acids. A well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fish can contribute to heart health and children's proper growth and development.

So, women and young children in particular should include fish in their diets due to the many nutritional benefits.

However, nearly all fish contain traces of mercury. For most people, the risk from mercury by eating fish is not a health concern. Yet, some fish contain higher levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby or young child's developing nervous system.

The risks from mercury in fish depends on the amount eaten and the levels of mercury in the fish. Therefore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advise women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children to avoid some types of fish and eat fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.

By following these three recommendations for selecting and eating fish or shellfish, women and young children will receive the benefits of eating fish and shellfish and be confident that they have reduced their exposure to the harmful effects of mercury.

(1) Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.

(2) Eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.

• Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.
• Another commonly eaten fish, albacore ("white") tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna. So, when choosing your two meals of fish and shellfish, you may eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) of albacore tuna per week.

(3) Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. If no advice is available, eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don't consume any other fish during that week.

Follow these same recommendations when feeding fish and shellfish to your young child, but serve smaller portions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mercury in Fish and Shellfish:

This information comes from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (see http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/admehg3.html):

"What is mercury and methylmercury?"

Mercury occurs naturally in the environment and can also be released into the air through industrial pollution. Mercury falls from the air and can accumulate in streams and oceans and is turned into methylmercury in the water. It is this type of mercury that can be harmful to your unborn baby and young child. Fish absorb the methylmercury as they feed in these waters and so it builds up in them. It builds up more in some types of fish and shellfish than others, depending on what the fish eat, which is why the levels vary.

"I'm a woman who could have children but I'm not pregnant - so why should I be concerned about methylmercury?"

If you regularly eat types of fish that are high in methylmercury, it can accumulate in your blood stream over time. Methylmercury is removed from the body naturally, but it may take over a year for the levels to drop significantly. Thus, it may be present in a woman even before she becomes pregnant. This is the reason why women who are trying to become pregnant should also avoid eating certain types of fish.

"Is there methylmercury in all fish and shellfish?"

Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of methylmercury. However, larger fish that have lived longer have the highest levels of methylmercury because they've had more time to accumulate it. These large fish (swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish) pose the greatest risk. Other types of fish and shellfish may be eaten in the amounts recommended by FDA and EPA.

"I don't see the fish I eat in the advisory. What should I do?"

If you want more information about the levels in the various types of fish you eat, see the FDA food safety website www.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/sea-mehg.html or the EPA website at www.epa.gov/ost/fish.

"What about fish sticks and fast food sandwiches?"

Fish sticks and "fast-food" sandwiches are commonly made from fish that are low in mercury.

"The advice about canned tuna is in the advisory, but what's the advice about tuna steaks?"

Because tuna steak generally contains higher levels of mercury than canned light tuna, when choosing your two meals of fish and shellfish, you may eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) of tuna steak per week.

"What if I eat more than the recommended amount of fish and shellfish in a week?"

One week's consumption of fish does not change the level of methylmercury in the body much at all. If you eat a lot of fish one week, you can cut back for the next week or two. Just make sure you average the recommended amount per week.

"Where do I get information about the safety of fish caught recreationally by family or friends?"

Before you go fishing, check your Fishing Regulations Booklet (or check the agency’s Web site for the latest updates) for information about recreationally caught fish. You can also contact your local health department for information about local advisories. You need to check local advisories because some kinds of fish and shellfish caught in your local waters may have higher or much lower than average levels of mercury. This depends on the levels of mercury in the water in which the fish are caught. Those fish with much lower levels may be eaten more frequently and in larger amounts.

For further information about the risks of mercury in fish and shellfish call the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's food information line toll-free at 1-888-SAFEFOOD or visit FDA's Food Safety website www.cfsan.fda.gov/seafood1.html

For further information about the safety of locally caught fish and shellfish, visit the Environmental Protection Agency's Fish Advisory website www.epa.gov/ost/fish or contact your State or Local Health Department, such as the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality www.azdeq.gov.  A list of state or local health department contacts is available at www.epa.gov/ost/fish. For information on EPA's actions to control mercury, visit EPA's mercury website at www.epa.gov/mercury.

Fish Consumption Advisories for Other Arizona Lakes