TDSHS fish consumption advisories issued

The Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) issued a revised advisory on fish consumption from the Neches River and all contiguous waters from State Highway 7 bridge west of Lufkin downstream to the US 96 bridge near Evadale, including B.A. Steinhagen and Sam Rayburn reservoirs. Affected waters are in Angelina, Hardin, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, Trinity and Tyler counties.

Chemical of Concern:Dioxins, Mercury

Adults should limit consumption of certain fish species as indicated below. Women of childbearing age and children under 12 should not consume the indicated fishes from these waters.

Smallmouth buffalo: Do not eat.

Flathead catfish and gar: no more than one 8-ounce serving per month.

Blue catfish over 30 inches long, largemouth bass over 16 inches and spotted bass over 16 inches: no more than two 8-ounce servings per month.

Also listed are the Saltwater Consumption Advisories from the local area to the Houston Ship Channel.

TDSHS recommends limiting consumption of certain fish in these areas as indicated below. For area maps and details on these advisories, see the TDSHS Listing of Waterbodies with Advisories.

Louisiana Border

Sabine Lake and contiguous Texas waters in Jefferson and Orange counties

Chemical of Concern:Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

For gafftopsail catfish, adults should limit consumption to no more than three 8-ounce meals per month.

Children under 12 and women who are pregnant, nursing or may become pregnant should limit consumption to no more than one 4-ounce meal per month

Houston/Galveston Area

Clear Creek in Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston and Harris counties

Chemical of Concern:

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Persons should not consume any species of fish from these waters.

Houston Ship Channel and all contiguous waters north of the Fred Hartman Bridge, State Highway 146 including the San Jacinto River below the Lake Houston dam

Chemicals of Concern:Dioxins, Organochlorine pesticides, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

For all species of fish and blue crabs, adults should limit consumption to no more than one, 8-ounce meal per month.

Women of childbearing age and children under 12 should not consume any fish or blue crabs from this area.

Upper Galveston Bay and all contiguous waters north of a line drawn from Red Bluff Point to Five-Mile Cut Marker to Houston Point

Chemicals of Concern:Dioxins and Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

For all species of catfish, spotted seatrout and blue crab, adults should limit consumption to no more than one, 8-ounce meal per month.

Children under 12 and women of childbearing age should not consume spotted seatrout, blue crabs or any catfish species from this area.

Galveston Bay and all contiguous waters including Chocolate Bay, East Bay, Trinity Bay and West Bay

Chemicals of Concern: Dioxins and Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

For all species of catfish, adults should limit consumption to no more than one, 8-ounce meal per month.

Children, and women who are nursing, pregnant or who may become pregnant should not consume catfish from these waters.

A list of bans and advisories for deep water fishing and for the rest of Texas can be found on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Departments Web site: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us