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Home > Fish and Wildlife Service News >
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
State To Adopt New Guidelines for Fish ConsumptionIowa Department of Natural Resources — 3/10/2006Prior to 2006, contaminant levels in Iowa fish were compared to "action levels" for mercury, PCBs, and chlordane published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In recent years, many states have abandoned the use of the FDA action levels in favor of a more protective "risk-based" approach. Thus, in late 2005, the IDPH, in cooperation with IDNR, used U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) guidance to develop a risk-based advisory system for Iowa that covers these contaminants. It is important to note, that no matter your age, fish are an important part of a healthy diet. Nutritionists with the IDPH say fish are low in saturated fats and contain high-quality protein. Some fish (such as salmon, trout, and herring) are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids - a class of fatty-acids that are essential for cell development and have other beneficial health effects. Fish also supply a number of vitamins and minerals that tend to be low in the typical U.S. diet. A well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fish and shellfish can contribute to heart health and children's proper growth and development. So, women and young children in particular should include fish or shellfish in their diets due to the many nutritional benefits. Dr. Charles Barton, IDPH toxicologist, said "Our intention with consumption advisories is certainly not to scare people away from eating fish, especially women of child bearing age and children. Rather, we hope the public will become more aware of the benefits of eating fish and where they can get safe fish to supplement their own diets." The IDPH and several national health organizations recommend that people of all ages eat fish a minimum of twice per week to achieve optimal health benefits. Some fish may contain higher levels of trace chemicals than other fish. The new fish consumption advisories are intended to provide guidance to Iowans in limiting their consumption of certain types of fish from specific bodies of water due to higher levels of trace chemicals found in these fish. Although a recommendation is made to limit consumption of certain types of fish from specific water bodies, the IDPH still recommends that all Iowans eat fish from other sources at least twice per week. In addition to the health benefits of eating fish, fishing is a great recreational activity for families wishing to enjoy Iowa's natural resources. In a time when too many of us spend our down time in front of the television or home computer, fishing provides an opportunity for us to connect with the natural environment and forget about the stresses of our daily lives. "We have some great fisheries across the state, and I want to encourage parents to introduce their children to fishing as a lifelong recreational opportunity," said Conover. Fish consumption advisories are posted wherever it is confirmed that trigger levels in the IDNR/IDPH advisory protocol are exceeded. Based on this new advisory protocol, IDNR and IDPH recommend the following: Lakes:
Rivers:
To access Iowa's fish consumption advisories visit the IDNR's web page at http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/news/consump.html. To obtain information on the benefits of eating fish or what types of fish are safe to eat visit the IDPH's web page at http://www.idph.state.ia.us/eh/common/pdf/env/fish_health_issues.pdf.
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