Fish Consumption Advisories
Citizens can minimize their exposure to harmful chemical contaminants by checking local fish consumption advisories before fishing in their favorite Chesapeake Bay river.
Chemical contaminants such as mercury and PCBs have been found in a number of fish and shellfish in parts of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers. To protect the health of those who fish in the Bay watershed, each state and the District of Columbia issue fish consumption advisories for specific species in certain bodies of water. Some advisories are issued for the general public, while others are only for sensitive populations, such as children or pregnant and nursing women.
The following links will direct you to current fish consumption advisories issued by the Bay watershed's seven jurisdictions:
Fish consumption advisories are not meant to discourage people from eating fish and shellfish; rather, they are a guide to help minimize people's exposure to contaminants.
- U.S. EPA - Fish Advisories: Advice from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about fish consumption in the United States, including a backgrounder and FAQ on mercury in fish and shellfish.
- Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish: Information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about commercial fish and shellfish species with the highest and lowest mercury levels.