FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES

When mercury enters water bodies from the air through dry deposition or when washed down in rainfall, biological processes transform it into a highly toxic form that builds up in fish and animals that eat fish, called methylmercury. This process of building up in fish is known as bioaccumulation. Fish ingest mercury in their food sources or absorb it from their surroundings, but their systems are unable to flush it out of their bodies as fast as it is taken in. The result is a steady increase of mercury over time in the edible tissue of the fish, to potentially toxic levels.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources routinely monitors water quality and fish tissue for potential problems. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services issues fish consumption advisories for the spots in North Carolina that have high contaminant levels. These advisories warn people to either limit their consumption of certain kinds of fish or avoid eating them altogether. For further information on current advisories in North Carolina, history of fish consumption advisories, common contaminants found in the waters of North Carolina and questions and answers about mercury and fish, visit www.schs.state.nc.us/epi/fish or call (919) 715-6429.

Listed below are manuals, brochures, Web sites and articles that explain fish consumption advisories and how mercury effects the fish that are in our lakes, streams and ponds. The links will appear in a new browser window.

 Fish Consumption Advisories

Full Title: Fish Advisories: Advice About Eating Fish and Wildlife
Full Work Author: U.S. EPA
Abstract: This Web site contains information on fish consumption advisories, mercury’s impacts on fish and the environment, whether a cause for concern of mercury contamination exists in fish, and provides general safety in seafood consumption.

Full Title: Fish Consumption Advisories
Full Work Author: N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Abstract: The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issues fish consumption advisories for the spots in North Carolina that have high contaminant levels — telling people to either limit consumption or avoid eating certain kinds of fish. This Web site gives further information on current advisories in North Carolina, history of fish consumption advisories, common contaminants found in the waters of North Carolina, FAQs about King Mackerel, and information about mercury in King Mackerel.

Full Title: National Listing of Wildlife and Fish Advisories
Full Work Author: U.S. EPA Office of Water
Abstract: This fact sheet has information on national wildlife and fish advisories, provides history on past advisories, lists other contaminants that might affect the fish and wildlife in a certain area, and lists effects that contaminants have and where they are found.

Full Title: Mercury Update: Impact on Fish Advisories (2001)
Full Work Author: U.S. EPA: Office of Water
Abstract: This fact sheet summarizes current information on sources of mercury, fate and transport, occurrence in human tissues, range of concentrations in fish tissue, fish advisories, fish consumption limits, toxicity and regulations for mercury. The fact sheets also illustrate how this information may be used for developing fish consumption advisories.

Full Title: Consumer Advisory about the Risks of Mercury in Fish
Full Work Author: Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Abstract: This page covers the risks posed by mercury in fish, how much a person can consume without injury, and ways to avoid eating any fish that might have been exposed to mercury.

Full Title: Mercury Topic Hub: Fish Advisories
Full Work Author: Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA) 
Abstract: This Web site offers general information on fish advisories nationwide, and provides various links to other sites with more in-depth information on fish consumption.