MIKE BRAUN EPA issues updated advisory on fish

It is the Ides of March and that means April showers, May flowers and fishing season are not far behind.
With this in mind now is a good time to publicize the Ohio EPA's new fish advisory locations.
Generally speaking, there is a continuing statewide advisory that anglers and others eat no more than one meal per week of any sport fish caught in any body of water in the state. The reason for this is mercury contamination.
But, to be more specific, there are advisories that recommend limiting the consumption of fish caught in certain bodies of water in Ohio. Area anglers should note that one such body of water has had another species added to the advisory list.
Advisories issued
As of March 1, the Ohio EPA added all sizes of the common carp to the once-a-month consumption advisory list of fish from Berlin Reservoir. Already on that list for Berlin is the channel catfish.
The carp contamination is from PCBs and lead. The catfish was listed only for high levels of PCBs.
There have been consumption advisories in place for years on fish from area waters.
The Mahoning River has several consumption advisories. Most notably is the do-not-eat advisory for channel catfish and common carp (PCBs) caught from NW Bridge Road in Warren to the Pennsylvania state Line.
There are also one meal per month restrictions placed on walleye (PCBs) and smallmouth bass (PCBs, mercury) caught in the same area.
A similar advisory exists on the Mahoning River from Berlin Reservoir dam to NW Bridge Road on smallmouth bass (mercury, PCBs).
All species of fish caught in the Middle Fork of the Little Beaver Creek in Columbiana County are on a do-not-eat advisory list for contamination from the chemical Mirex. The advisory area is from state Route 14 at Allen Road to the mouth of Beaver Creek.
Beaver Creek also has restrictions for fish consumption. Channel catfish are limited to being part of a meal once every two months while common carp, sauger and smallmouth bass 12 inches and over are limited to one meal per month in an area on the creek from state Route 7 at Williamsport to the Pennsylvania state Line near Grimms Bridge Road. PCBs are the mitigating factor here.
Also in Columbiana County, all waters of Highlandtown Reservoir are under an advisory for largemouth bass and this species is recommended to a one meal per month limit. Mercury contamination is the reason for this advisory.
On the Sandy Creek, all waters are under an advisory for a one meal per month caution on common carp consumption. PCBs are the culprit.
The Ohio River is also affected. Channel catfish, flathead catfish, and common carp are on the one meal per every two months advisory while freshwater drum, striped bass hybrids, walleye 17-inches and over, and white bass are under a one meal per month advisory. The contaminating factor here is PCBs.
In Trumbull County, the Grand River has an advisory for the area of Lake Estabrook by Parkman to Tote Street in Austinburg. Common carp 22" and over should not be eaten more than once per month due to PCBs.
The advisories are based on EPA sampling of Ohio waters in 2003.
Chemicals found
The advisories are made for a reason. According to the EPA:
"While most Ohio sport fish are of high quality, low levels of chemicals like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury and lead have been found in some fish from certain waters. To ensure the continued good health of Ohioans, the Ohio Department of Health offers an advisory for how often these fish can be safely eaten. An advisory is advice, and should not be viewed as law or regulation. It is intended to help anglers and their families make educated choices about: where you fish, what types of fish you eat, how to limit the amount and frequency of fish you consume, and how you prepare fish for cooking.
"By following these advisories, you can get the health benefits of fish and reduce unwanted contaminants."
The upshot is that Ohio sportsmen and others who enjoy fishing are now feeling the effects of decades of unrestricted pollution of Buckeye State waters.
The lesson to be learned here is if we don't protect our environment, the environment may not be there for us later.
braun@vindy.com