Current Fish Consumption Advice and Advisories in North Carolina
Statewide
Pollutant: Mercury
Due to high levels of mercury in three freshwater fish species in the eastern half of the state and in four kinds of saltwater fish, the North Carolina Division of Public Health has issued the following health advice:
Fish Consumption Advice
Women of Childbearing Age (15-44 years), Pregnant Women, Nursing Women, and Children under 15:
Do not eat shark, swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and canned white tuna (albacore tuna); or blackfish (bowfin), largemouth bass, or jack fish (chain pickerel) caught in North Carolina waters south and east of Interstate 85. These fish are often high in mercury. Eat up to two meals* per week of other fish.
Other Women, Men, and Children 15 years and older:
Eat no more than one meal* per week of shark, swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and canned white tuna (albacore tuna); or blackfish (bowfin), largemouth bass, or jack fish (chain pickerel) caught in North Carolina waters south and east of Interstate 85. These fish are often high in mercury. Eat up to four meals* per week of other fish
*A meal is 6 ounces of cooked fish for adults, or 2 ounces of cooked fish for children under 15.
Albemarle Sound from Bull Bay to Harvey Point;
West to mouth of the Roanoke River and to the mouth of the Chowan River to the U.S. Highway 17 Bridge (Perquimans, Chowan, Bertie, Washington, and Tyrrell Counties)
Pollutant – Dioxins
Date Issued – 10/01
Advisory
Catfish and carp from these waters may contain low levels of dioxins. Women of childbearing age and children should not eat any catfish or carp from this area until further notice. All other persons should eat no more than one meal per person per month of catfish and carp from this area. Swimming, boating, and other recreational activities present no health risks and are not affected by this advisory.
Roanoke River
from the U. S. Hwy 17 bridge near Williamston to mouth of Albemarle Sound (Martin, Bertie, and Washington Counties)
Pollutant – Dioxins
Date Issued – 10/01
Advisory
Catfish and carp from these waters may contain low levels of dioxins. Women of childbearing age and children should not eat any catfish or carp from this area until further notice. All other persons should eat no more than one meal per person per month of catfish and carp from this area. Swimming, boating, and other recreational activities present no health risks and are not affected by this advisory.
Current Fish Consumption Advice and Advisories in North Carolina
Statewide
Pollutant: Mercury
Due to high levels of mercury in three freshwater fish species in the eastern half of the state and in four kinds of saltwater fish, the North Carolina Division of Public Health has issued the following health advice:
Fish Consumption Advice
Women of Childbearing Age (15-44 years), Pregnant Women, Nursing Women, and Children under 15:
Do not eat shark, swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and canned white tuna (albacore tuna); or blackfish (bowfin), largemouth bass, or jack fish (chain pickerel) caught in North Carolina waters south and east of Interstate 85. These fish are often high in mercury. Eat up to two meals* per week of other fish.
Other Women, Men, and Children 15 years and older:
Eat no more than one meal* per week of shark, swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and canned white tuna (albacore tuna); or blackfish (bowfin), largemouth bass, or jack fish (chain pickerel) caught in North Carolina waters south and east of Interstate 85. These fish are often high in mercury. Eat up to four meals* per week of other fish
*A meal is 6 ounces of cooked fish for adults, or 2 ounces of cooked fish for children under 15.
Albemarle Sound from Bull Bay to Harvey Point;
West to mouth of the Roanoke River and to the mouth of the Chowan River to the U.S. Highway 17 Bridge (Perquimans, Chowan, Bertie, Washington, and Tyrrell Counties)
Pollutant – Dioxins
Date Issued – 10/01
Advisory
Catfish and carp from these waters may contain low levels of dioxins. Women of childbearing age and children should not eat any catfish or carp from this area until further notice. All other persons should eat no more than one meal per person per month of catfish and carp from this area. Swimming, boating, and other recreational activities present no health risks and are not affected by this advisory.
Roanoke River
from the U. S. Hwy 17 bridge near Williamston to mouth of Albemarle Sound (Martin, Bertie, and Washington Counties)
Pollutant – Dioxins
Date Issued – 10/01
Advisory
Catfish and carp from these waters may contain low levels of dioxins. Women of childbearing age and children should not eat any catfish or carp from this area until further notice. All other persons should eat no more than one meal per person per month of catfish and carp from this area. Swimming, boating, and other recreational activities present no health risks and are not affected by this advisory.