State Warns Not to Eat Seafood From Some Area Waters

Not that catfish is traditional Thanksgiving fare – however crab dip may be on some folks menu, I never turn away from it.

After a five year study an advisory has been issued from the state regarding eating catfish, crab fat and limiting consumption of other fish and shellfish to two meals per month. Actually three state agencies agree and issued the advisory in agreement; The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Who will argue? They studied it for five years.

In Bayou D’Inde and the Calcasieu Ship Channel the areas of concern are primarily between mile markers no.31 and no.33. In those areas do not eat catfish or crab fat and limit your consumption of other fish and shellfish to two meals per month.

To get technical the main idea from the advisory is this: “elevated levels of PCB’s, (polychlorinated biphenols), dioxins and furans were found in tissue (meat/fillet) of some species. Unacceptable levels of PCB’s, dioxins and furans were also found in crap hepatopancreas (fat).”

The key words in that jargon are ‘elevated’ and ‘unacceptable’ and they mean exactly what they say. In the Calcasieu Estuary north of mile marker no.11 for instance do not eat crab fat, period.

Well, this is just in time for Thanksgiving. So we should be thankful we know. For complete information: http://www.ldh.la.gov/EatSafeFish