Arizona and Utah Announce Fish Consumption Advisory (Striped Bass) for Mercury in Southern Lake Powell
Arizona Game and Fish Department 10.25.12
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, in association with other environmental, health and wildlife agencies for both Arizona and Utah (including the Arizona Game and Fish Department), has issued a fish consumption advisory recommending that people limit consumption of striped bass caught in the southern portion of Lake Powell, from Dangling Rope Marina in Utah to Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona.
Since 2005, the state of Utah has collected and analyzed tissue samples from fish caught from Lake Powell for elevated levels of mercury. The advisory recommends that members of the public limit their consumption of striped bass as follows:
- Pregnant women and children under six years of age should limit their consumption of striped bass to one 4-ounce meal per month.
- Women of childbearing age and children between 6 to 16 years of age should limit their consumption of striped bass to two 8-ounce meals per month.
- Adult women past childbearing age and men older than 16 years of age should limit their consumption of striped bass to eight 8-ounce meals per month.
The advisory does not limit the consumption of other fish species taken from Lake Powell or the use of the lake for swimming, boating or other recreational uses or as a drinking water source.
Any health risks associated with eating fish from fish advisory areas are based on long-term consumption rates and are not tied to eating fish occasionally. Fish are an excellent source of protein and can be an important part of a healthy, diverse diet as they are low in saturated fat and high in omega-3 fatty acids. The American Heart Association recommends that individuals eat at least two fish or seafood meals weekly. An 8-ounce serving, before cooking, is equivalent to the size of two decks of playing cards.
“Consuming fish that contain mercury is the most common method of human exposure to mercury,” said ADEQ Director Henry Darwin. “While we continue to work to reduce mercury pollution in Arizona’s bodies of water, these fish consumption advisories are an important part of our effort to protect public health.”
Mercury is a naturally occurring element that can be transformed into methylmercury, a toxic form found in some natural waters. Those most vulnerable to the effects of mercury toxicity include women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children. Chronic exposure to low concentrations of methylmercury in fish may result in neurological effects in the developing fetus and children.
Because mercury has been detected in some fish from Lake Powell, it is prudent to advise the public and offer this consumption advisory. ADEQ officials are continuing to work with the state of Utah to identify the sources of mercury. The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.
In addition to Lake Powell, fish consumption advisories for mercury remain in place for the following bodies of water in Arizona: Alamo Lake, Arivaca Lake, Coors Lake, Lake Pleasant, Long Lake, Lower Lake Mary, Lyman Lake, Parker Canyon Lake, Pena Blanca Lake, Roosevelt Lake, Soldier Lake, Soldier Annex Lake, Tonto Creek, and Upper Lake Mary.
For more information:
ADEQ’s fish consumption advisory fact sheet:
www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/assessment/download/fca.pdf
ADEQ’s Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Powell’s fish consumption advisory:
www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/assessment/download/fish-powell_faq.pdf
EPA’s consumption advisories:
www.epa.gov/mercury/advisories.htm
