Fish Consumption Advisories Issued for LA Waterways

Fish advisories have been issued for several Louisiana waterways.

The state department of health and hospitals, in conjunction with the department of environmental quality, and the department of wildlife and fisheries issued the advisories for eight waterways where they found elevated levels of mercury in local fish.

The list of waterways and associated fish which are currently under advisory include:

Bayou Nezpique: Largemouth Bass and Bowfin Fish.

Caddo Lake: Bigmouth Buffolo, Black Brappie, Bowfin, and Largemouth Bass

Cocodrie Lake: Laregemouth Bass

I-10 Canal (between Whiskey Bay and Ramah): Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie and Bowfin

Old River (Niblets Bluff): Freshwater Drum, Redear Sunfish, Spotted Bass Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie and Bowfin

Saline Lake and Bayou: Black Crappie, Bowfin, Carp Freshwater Drum, Largemouth Bass, Longer Sunfish, Spotted Bass and Warmouth

The D.E.Q. says these advisories are issued as a precaution, and they will continue sampling to determine when the advisory will be lifted. Louisiana consumption advisories are based on the estimate that the average resident eats fish around four times a month. Mercury poses a greater risk for children, and for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. For more information about mercury in fish you can call the office of public health toll free at 1-888-293-7020.