If you eat fish from the Columbia Slough, please be aware that the Oregon Health Advisory has issued new recommendations based on levels of PCBs and mercury found in resident species. This new advisory recommends people limit their consumption to one fillet meal per month for all resident fish and crayfish.
Resident species include carp, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, largescale sucker and sunfish. The advisory does not apply to migratory fish like salmon, steelhead and shad. These and other migratory fish are a healthy choice when considering what fish to eat.
Eating too much fish and shellfish contaminated with PCBs and mercury can lead to negative health effects over time. Fetuses, babies and small children are most vulnerable.
For more information, please see the full press release from the Oregon Health Authority. You can also learn ways to reduce your risk of consuming PCBs from fish and find other fish advisories and guidelines from around the state.