MOBILE, Alabama -- Because of excessive levels of mercury found in some fish species, the Alabama Department of Public Health recently announced new consumption advisories that are now in effect in Mobile County and off its coastline.
The limits are offered as guidance to those who want to eat fish caught from state waters, according to state health officials, who also add that there is no risk of “an acute toxic episode” from eating fish containing the contaminants the state monitors.
Repeated testing has shown that bass in south Alabama routinely test much higher than inshore saltwater fish, such as speckled trout, redfish, flounder, croaker, white trout, sheepshead and mullet.
There has long been concern about fish consumption and mercury. Studies suggest mercury has significant effects on the cardiovascular system, and can cause problems with blood pressure and neurological functions.
The new advisories from the state include:
*Big Creek Reservoir: Limit consumption of largemouth bass to one serving per month.
*Chickasaw Creek: Consume no largemouth bass.
*Cold Creek Swamp from confluence of Cold Creek with the Mobile River west through the swamp: Consume no fish.
*Escatawpa River at U.S. Hwy. 98 bridge about one-tenth mile upstream of the Alabama/Mississippi line: People should limit consumption of largemouth bass and spotted bass to a serving every two months. Blacktail redhorse and channel catfish should be limited to one serving per month.
*Fowl River: Consume no largemouth bass.
*Gulf Coast: Men should not eat king mackerel that are longer than 39 inches and should limit their consumption of king mackerel under 39 inches to one serving per month. Women of childbearing age, pregnant women and children less than 15 years old should not consume king mackerel.
*Mobile River at and south of the confluence with Cold Creek: Largemouth bass consumption should be limited to two 6-ounce servings per month.
For the purposes of consumption limits, one serving consists of 6 ounces of cooked fish or 8 ounces of raw fish. For a complete listing of the posted fish consumption advisories visit www.adph.org.