DPH: Connecticut's Fish Consumption Advisory and the Safe Eating of Fish Caught in Connecticut

Connecticut's Fish Consumption Advisory and the Safe Eating of Fish Caught in Connecticut

The Connecticut Department of Public Health issues a yearly advisory for decreasing fish consumption when chemical levels are unsafe. Fish from Connecticut waters are a good low cost source of protein. Unfortunately, fish can take up (bio-accumulate) chemicals such as mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that may affect your family’s health. The following fact sheets provide information on the advisory, including how to eat fish safely.  

For more information call toll free: 1-(877)-458-FISH (3474) 

  

Technical Brief- Eating Fish: Risks and Benefits

 

If I Catch It, Can I Eat It? A Guide to Eating Fish Safely:

A Guide for Avid Fish Eaters

A Woman's Guide to Eating Fish Safely - Information for Pregnant Women

A Supermarket Guide to Fish Consumption

Fish Choices in Connecticut: What's safe - What's Not Fact Sheet 

Visual Examples of Fish Species Noted In CT Fish Consumption Advisory

{Brown Bullhead}

Brown Bullhead

{Yellow Bullhead}

Yellow Bullhead

Black Bullhead, Bullheads (and catfish) from Brewster Pond in Stratford should not be eaten. People in the High Risk Group should not eat Bullheads and catfish from the Housatonic River.

{Striped Bass}

Striped Bass

{Bluefish}

Bluefish

Bluefish over 25 inches and Striped Bass caught in Long Island Sound and connected rivers should not be eaten by people in the High Risk Group.

{Brown Trout}

Brown Trout

These fish are generally safe to eat because they are stocked and fished regularly . People in the High Risk Group should eat smaller trout (under 15 inches).

{Carp}

Carp

Carp caught in the Housatonic River should not be eaten by anyone. People in the High Risk Group should not eat carp caught in the Connecticut River.

{Large Mouth Bass}  

Large Mouth Bass

  {Small Mouth Bass}

Small Mouth Bass

Large and Smallmouth Bass caught in the following lakes should not be eaten by people in the High Risk Group:

  • Dodge Pond -East Lyme

  • Lake McDonough - Barkhamsted

  • Silver Lake - Berlin/Meriden 

  • Lake Wyassup - North Stonington

  • Quinnipiac River - above Quinnipiac Gorge

In addition, people in the high risk group should not eat any Bass from the Housatonic River.

{American Eel }

American Eel

Eels caught in the Housatonic River should not be eaten.

 

For More Information:

  • Health Questions? Contact The Department of Health: (860) 509-7740 or toll-free at 1-(877)-458-FISH (3474)

  • Fishing in CT Questions? Contact The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection: (860) 424-3474





Content Last Modified on 4/25/2012 11:00:13 AM