1997 guidelines for eating fish from Georgia waters

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1997

Guidelines for Eating Fish
from Georgia Waters

Produced by: Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division and Wildlife Resources Division
205 Butler Street, S.E. Suite 1152 Atlanta, Georgia 30334

Table of Contents
What contaminants are found in Georgia fish? ............... 1 How do contaminants get into water and fish? ............... 2 What is DNR doing to address fish contamination? ........... 3 Health benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Health risks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 How do Georgia's fish compare with fish in other states? ...... 6 General guidelines to reduce your health risks ............... 6 How to use the guidelines ................................. 8 Special notice for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 For more information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Guidelines for Georgia lakes ......................... 10- 17 Guidelines for Georgia rivers ........................ 18- 26

Fishing is a popular pastime in Georgia. Whether you go alone to relax and enjoy nature, with your friends to enjoy camaraderie and "fish tales" or with your family to pass on a sport you learned as a child, fishing is a fun and rewarding sport enjoyed by many people. Not only does fishing give people an excuse to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, but it can also put a healthy, satisfying meal on the table. Fish is low in saturated fat, high in protein, and can have substantial health benefits when eaten in place of other high-fat foods. The quality of sport fish caught in Georgia is very good; however, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlordane, and mercury have been found in some fish from a few bodies of water. In most cases, the levels of these chemicals are low. However, to ensure the good health of Georgia anglers, the Georgia Department ofNatural Resources has developed guidelines for how often certain species of fish can be safely eaten. It should be noted that these guidelines are based on the best scientific information and procedures available. As more advanced procedures are developed, these guidelines may change. Also, it is important to keep in mind that these calculations are based on eating fish with similar contamination over a period of30 years or more. These guidelines are not intended to cause panic or to discourage people from eating fish, but anglers should use them as a guide for choosing to eat fish from Georgia waters.
What contaminants are found in Georgia's fish and where do they come from?
The Georgia Department ofNatural Resources has one of the most progressive fish testing programs in the southeast. A variety of different fish species were tested for 43 separate contaminants, including metals, organic chemicals and pesticides. Many of these contaminants did not appear in any fish; however, three contaminants were detected in significant amounts in a few species from some bodies of water. This publication provides you with information on those three contaminants.
The three contaminants that showed up in some fish from some Georgia waters are PCBs, chlordane and mercury.
1

In some areas, fish are contaminated with low concentrations of PCBs, which stands for polychlorinated biphenyls. It is now illegal to manufacture PCBs; however, in the past, these synthetic oils were used regularly as fluids for electrical transformers, cutting oils, and carbonless paper. Although they were banned in 1976, they do not break down easily and remain in lake sediments for years. Over time levels of PCB contamination will decrease.
Some species of fish in the Chattahoochee River Basin contain chlordane. Chlordane is a man-made pesticide used in the U.S. from the late 1940's to the early 1980s. Historically, chlordane was used as an agricultural pesticide, but in 1978 it was restricted to termite control use only. It has since been banned for all uses. Chlordane is persistent in the environment and may remain in lake sediments for years.
Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that recycles between land, water, and air. As mercury cycles through the environment it is absorbed and ingested by plants and animals. Most of the mercury absorbed will be returned to the environment but some will remain in the plant and animal tissues. It is not known where the mercury in Georgia's fish originated. Mercury may be present in fish because of the mercury content of soils and rocks in the southeast, from municipal and industrial sources, or from fossil fuel use. It is al~;o possible that mercury contamination is related to global atmospheric transport.
How do contaminants get into water and fish?
Contaminants get into water as a result of storm water runoff, industrial and municipal discharges, agricultural practices, nonpoint source pollution and other factors. When it rains, chemicals from the land are washed into the water. Contaminants are carried downstream by rivers and creeks into lakes and reservoirs.
Contaminants can get into fish in a variety of ways. Fish absorb PCBs and chlordane from either water, suspended sediments, or their food. Both of these chemicals concentrate in the fat offish and in fatty
2

fish such as carp and catfish. Cleaning and cooking a fish to remove fat will lower the amount of PCBs and chlordane in a fish meal. Larger, older fish and fish which eat other fish may accumulate more contaminants than smaller, younger fish. Contaminants are not usually detected in panfish such as crappie and bluegill.
Once in the water, mercury is converted to methyl mercury by bacteria and other processes. Fish absorb methyl mercury from their food and from water as it passes over their gills. Mercury is bound to proteins in fish tissue, including muscle.
How does the sampling work and what is the Department ofNatural Resources doing to address fish contamination?
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is committed to protecting Georgia's rivers, streams, lakes and other waters. Both PCBs and chlordane have been banned, and, over time, the levels of these chemicals are expected to decrease.
The Department has begun this progressive sampling program to evaluate problem areas and to protect public health by giving people the information they need to make decisions about eating fish from different waters. DNR's fish testing program will be ongoing. Testing on additional lakes and rivers will be balanced with retesting of waters where changes may be occurring. Since contaminant levels in fish change very slowly, sampling the same species of fish from the same locations over time will allow DNR to document changes and trends in contamination levels.
Georgia has more than 71,000 miles of rivers and streams and more than 421,000 acres of lakes. It will not be possible for DNR to sample every stream and lake in the state. However, high priority has been placed on the 26 major reservoirs, which make up more than 90% of the total lake acreage.
3

Waterways listed in this guide will continue to be sampled as part of a five year rotating schedule to track any trends in fish contaminant levels. The Department has also made sampling fish in rivers and streams downstream of urban and/or industrial areas a high priority. In addition, DNR will focus attention on areas which are frequented by a large number anglers.
Most lakes and rivers contain a wide variety of fish, and selecting which species of fish to test is important. In general, DNR samples fish that are top predators (high in the food chain) and fish that feed on the bottom. For this reason, largemouth bass and channel catfish, when present, are the primary species tested. Hybrid bass are also tested in areas with good fisheries for this species. Smaller fish, such as crappie, bream and shellcracker, are tested in secondary studies after the larger target fish have been tested. This is because smaller fish accumulate contaminants more slowly and in smaller amounts than larger fish and bottom feeders.
In order to prevent future contamination, the Department seeks to identify pollution sources and to work with industries, cities, farms and others to reduce the threat posed by pollutants. In many cases, this means implementing new technologies or practices that eliminate the creation of contaminants and thus the need to dispose of or discharge these chemicals. State laws have tough restrictions and penalties for discharge of toxic substances. DNR is responsible for enforcing these laws in Georgia and for ensuring compliance with these regulations.
In addition, individuals can play a role in preventing contamination of Georgia's waters by disposing of chemicals, such as oil, antifreeze, paint, and other contaminants, in a proper manner. In order to protect Georgia's waterways from future contamination, individuals, industries, farmers and other groups must learn to modify their day-to-day activities and work to create new technologies to eliminate the causes of pollution. DNR will continue to work closely with these groups to improve water quality in Georgia. In addition, planning, regulations, facilities modernization, public education and a variety of other activities will play a major role in protecting Georgia's waters for future generations.
4

What are the health benefits of eating fish?
Fish provide a high-protein, low-fat diet which is low in saturated fats. Many scientists suggest that eating a half-pound of fish a week can help prevent heart disease. Fish may have substantial health benefits when they replace a high-fat source of protein in the diet. These guidelines are based on a range in fish meal size from 4 to 8 ounces (1/4 to ~ pound). In areas where the guidelines recommend only 1 meal per month or week, you may prefer to have two smaller meals over that period.
What are the health risks of eating contaminated fish?
These guidelines were designed to protect you from experiencing health problems associated with eating contaminated fish. PCBs, chlordane, and methyl mercury build up in your body over time. It may take months or years of regularly eating contaminated fish to accumulate levels which would affect your health. It is important to keep in mind that these guidelines are based on eating fish with similar contamination over a period of 30 years or more. Current statistics indicate that cancer will affect about one in every four people nationally, primarily due to smoking, diet and hereditary risk factors. If you follow Georgia's consumption guidelines, the contaminants in the fish you eat may not increase your cancer risk at all. At worst, using U.S. EPA's estimates of contaminant potency, your cancer risk from fish consumption should be less than 1 in 10,000.
Both PCBs and chlordane cause cancer in laboratory animals and may cause cancer in humans. Non-cancer effects from these chemicals include developmental problems in children whose mothers were exposed to PCBs before becoming pregnant. This consumption advice is intended to protect children from developmental problems.
5

PCBs can also cause changes in human blood, liver and immune functions of adults.
Exposure to chlordane has been linked to health effects on the nervous system, the digestive system, and the liver. These effects have been seen in people who swallowed chlordane mixtures.
Small amounts of methyl mercury can be safely eliminated by your body but larger amounts may damage the nervous system. The fetus is especially sensitive to mercury poisoning.
How do Georgia's fish compare to other states?
Georgia has one of the most extensive fish monitoring programs in the Southeast. This is not because Georgia has highly contaminated fish, but because DNR has made a serious commitment to evaluate fish quality and provide detailed information to the people of Georgia. A comparison of data collected on fish tissue contamination in Georgia with similar data from surrounding states, reported in U.S.EPA's "National Study Of Chemical Residues In Fish," indicates that the quality offish in Georgia's lakes is similar to that in other southern states.
General Guidelines to Reduce Your Health Risk
Keep smaller fish for eating. As a general rule, larger, older fish may be more contaminated than younger, smaller fish. You can minimize your health risk by eating smaller fish that are within legal size limits and releasing the larger fish to be caught again.
Vary the kinds of fish you eat. Contaminants build up in large predators and bottom-feeding fish, like bass and catfish, more rapidly than in other species. By substituting a few meals ofpanfish, such as perch, sunfish and crappie, you can reduce your risk.
6

Eat smaller meals when you eat big fish and eat them less often. If you catch a big fish, freeze part of the catch and space the meals from this fish over a period of time.
Clean and cook your fish properly. How you clean and cook your fish can reduce the level of contaminants by as much as half in some fish. Some chemicals have a tendency to concentrate in the fatty tissues of fish. By removing the fish's skin and trimming fillets according to the following diagram, you can reduce the level of chemicals substantially. Mercury is bound to the meat of the fish, so these precautions will not help reduce this contaminant.
Remove the skin from fillets or steaks. The internal organs (intestines, liver, and so forth) and skin are often high in fat and contaminants
Trim off the fatty areas shown in black on the drawing. These include the belly fat, side fat, and the flesh along the top of the back. Careful trimming can reduce some contaminants by 25 to 50%.
back fat
side fat
belly fat
Trim away these fatty areas
Cook fish so fat drips away. Broil, bake or grill fish and do not use the drippings. Deep-fat frying removes some contaminants, but you should discard the oil once you have cooked the fish. Pan frying removes few, if any, contaminants.
7

Using These Guidelines
Check the following pages for the area where you fish. The lakes and rivers on the list are arranged in alphabetical order. If your fish or fishing location is NOT in the booklet, follow the General Guidelines to Reduce Your Health Risk on pages 7-8.
If your fish or fishing location is in the booklet, it does not necessarily mean that there is a contaminants problem, only that the fish have been tested. Meal advice will depend on what contaminant(s) were found and how much was found in different kind and sizes offish. Follow these instructions carefully.
Measure fish from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail fin.
Turn to the page where your lake is listed. Find the species and size of fish you caught. Ifthere is no frequency listed for a particular size fish, that size has not been tested or this size fish is illegal to harvest and keep.
Listed below are the different frequencies of meal consumption that are safe for different species and sizes offish.
no restriction I meal per week I meal per month
do not eat
For the purposes of these guidelines, one meal is assumed to range from I/4 to 112 pound offish (4-8 ounces) for a I50 pound person. Subtract or add I ounce offish to the range for every 20 pounds of body weight. For example, one meal is assumed to be 3 - 7 ounces for a I30 pound person and 5 - 9 ounces for a I70 pound person.
8

Special Notice for Pregnant Women, Nursing Mothers, and Children
If you plan to become pregnant in the next year or two, are pregnant now, or are a nursing mother, you and your children under 6 years of age are especially sensitive to the effects of some contaminants. For added protection, women in these categories and children may wish to limit consumption to a greater extent than recommended in the tables.

For more information
For more information on fish consumption in Georgia, contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division 205 Butler Street, S.E., Suite 1152 Atlanta, GA 30334 (770) 656-4713

Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division 2123 U.S. Hwy. 278, S.E. Social Circle, GA 30279 (770) 918-6418

9

Georgia Lakes Fish Consumption Guidelines

Lake Allatoona

Species

Less than 12 inches

12- 16 inches

Crappie

No Restrictions

Carp

No Restrictions No Restrictions

White Bass

I meal per week

Largemouth Bass

No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Over 16 inches I meal per week I meal per week

Chemical
PCBs PCBs PCBs

Lake Blackshear

Species

Less than 12 inches

Largemouth Bass

Spotted Sucker

12- 16 inches

Over 16 inches Chemical

No Restrictions No Restrictions

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Lake Blue R"1d1ge

Species

Less than 12 inches

White Bass

Channel Catfish

12- 16 inches

Over 16 inches Chemical

I meal per week No Restrictions

No Restrictions

Mercury

10

Lake Burton
Species

Less than 12 inches

12- 16 inches Over 16 inches Chemical

Largemouth Bass White Catfish

No Restrictions
*
No Restrictions

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

No Restrictions

* Only largemouth bass 6 inches and longer may be legally retained and possessed on Lake
Burton

Carters Lake
Species

Less than 12 inches

12- 16 inches Over 16 inches Chemical

Channel Catfish

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Walleye

I meal per week Mercury

Lake Chatuge

Species

Less than 12 inches

Largemouth Bass

Channel Catfish

12- 16 inches Over 16 inches Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions
No Restrictions

11

Clarks Hill Lake (Strom Thurmond)

Species

Less than 12 inches

12- 16 inches

Over 16 inches Chemical

Largemouth Bass

I meal per week I meal per week Mercury

Catfish

No Restrictions No Restrictions I meal per week Mercury

Bullhead

No Restrictions

Spotted Sucker

No Restrictions

Goat Rock Lake

Species

Less than 12 inches

Largemouth Bass

Hybrid Bass

I meal per month

Spotted Sucker

Black Crappie No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

12- 16 inches

Over 16 inches

Chemical

I meal per week I meal per month PCBs

I meal per month PCBs

I meal per week PCBs

No Restrictions I meal per month PCBs

L ake Hard"m

Species

Less than 12 inches

Largemouth Bass

Channel Catfish I meal per week

Crappie Hybrid Bass

No Restrictions I meal per week

12 - 16 inches
I meal per week
I meal per month No Restrictions

Over 16 inches I meal per month I meal per month
I meal per month

Chemical PCBs PCBs
PCBs

12

Lake Hartwell (Tuealoo Arm)

Species

Less than 12 inches

12 - 16 inches

Largemouth Bass

I meal per week

Black Crappie No Restrictions

Striped Bass

No Restrictions

Hybrid Bass

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Channel Catfish No Restrictions I meal per week

Over 16 inches I meal per week
Don't Eat I meal per month I meal per month

Chemical PCBs
PCBs PCBs PCBs

H"Iglh FaIIs L ake

Species

Less than 12 inches

Largemouth Bass

Channel Catfish No Restrictions

12- 16 inches No Restrictions No Restrictions

Over 16 inches I meal per week I meal per week

Chemical PCBs PCBs

Jackson Lake

Species

Less than 12 inches

12- 16 inches Over 16 inches

Largemouth Bass

I meal per week I meal per week I meal per week

Catfish

I meal per week I meal per week I meal per week

Black Crappie No Restrictions

Redear Sunfish No Restrictions

Chemical PCBs PCBs

13

Lake Juliette

Species

Less than 12 inches

12 - 16 inches Over 16 inches

Largemouth Bass

No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions *

Redear Sunfish No Restrictions

Brown Bullhead

No Restrictions

Chemical

*Only largemouth bass 6 inches and longer may be legally retained and possessed on Lake Juliette

Lake Lanier
Species

Less than 12 inches

12- 16 inches Over 16 inches

Chemical

Largemouth Bass

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Catfish

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Carp

I meal per month PCBs

La keN0t telty
Species

Less than 12 inches

Largemouth Bass

Channel Catfish

12- 16 inches Over 16 inches
No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions

Chemical

Lake Oconee
Species

Less than 12 inches

12- 16 inches

Over 16 inches Chemical

Largemouth Bass No Restrictions No Restrictions

*

*

I meal per week Mercury

Channel Catfish No Restrictions No Restrictions

No Restrictions

White Catfish

No Restrictions

Black Crappie

No Restrictions

*Only largemouth bass between 6 and II mches and 14 mches and longer may be legally possessed on Lake Oconee

14

Lake Oliver

Species

Less than 12 inches

Largemouth Bass

12- 16 inches I meal per week

Catfish

I meal per month

Bluegill Redear Sunfish

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Over 16 inches
I meal per week
1'")1 r;:.,.-..-tA.
I meal per month

Chemical
Mercury PCBs PCBs

Lake Rabun
Species

Less than 12 inches

Largemouth Bass

White Catfish

12- 16 inches

Over 16 inches Chemical

No Restrictions I meal per week Mercury

No Restrictions I meal per week Mercury

Lake Richard B. Russell

Species

Less than 12 inches

Largemouth Bass

Channel Catfish No Restrictions

White Catfish

I meal per week

Bullhead

No Restrictions

12- 16 inches No Restrictions No Restrictions

Over 16 inches Chemical I meal per week Mercury
Mercury

Lake Rutled1ge

Species

Less than 12 inches

Largemouth Bass

Channel Catfish No Restrictions

12 - 16 inches No Restrictions No Restrictions

Over 16 inches

Chemical

15

Lake Seminole

Species

Less than 12 inches

Largemouth Bass

Channel Catfish

Bullhead

No Restrictions

12- 16 inches

Over 16 inches

No Restrictions No Restrictions

No Restrictions I meal per week

No Restrictions

Chemical Mercury

Lake Sinclair

Species

Less than 12 inches

Largemouth Bass

Catfish

No Restrictions

Black Crappie

No Restrictions

12- 16 inches No Restrictions No Restrictions

Over 16 inches No Restrictions No Restrictions

Chemical

Lake Tobesofkee

Species

Less than 12 inches

Largemouth Bass

Channel Catfish No Restrictions

12- 16 inches No Restrictions No Restrictions

Over 16 inches No Restrictions No Restrictions

Chemical

Lake T u2a oo

Species

Less than 12 inches

Largemouth Bass

White Catfish

12- 16 inches

Over 16 inches Chemical

No Restrictions No Restrictions

No Restrictions

16

Lake Walter F. George (Eufaula)

Species

Less than 12 inches

I 2- 16 inches

Largemouth Bass

Hybrid Bass

I meal per month

Catfish

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Crappie

No Restrictions

Over 16 inches Chemical

I meal per week
I meal per month I meal per month

Mercury/ PCBs
Chlordane/ PCBs
Chlordane/ PCBs

West Point Lake

Species

Less than 12 inches

12- 16 inches

Largemouth Bass

Hybrid Bass

No Restrictions I meal per week

Channel Catfish

I meal per week

Carp

I meal per week

Black Crappie

No Restrictions

Over 16 inches
No Restrictions I meal per week I meal per month I meal per week

Chemical
PCBs PCBs PCBs PCBs

Lake Worth
Species
Largemouth Bass Spotted Sucker

Less than 12 inches

12 - 16 inches Over 16 inches

Chemical

No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions

17

Georgia Rivers Fish Consumption Guidelines

Please note that the consumption guidelines for Georgia rivers charts are different than the lake charts. Due to the flow of rivers, the site tested in important to the consumption guidelines. Consumption guidelines may vary from one stretch of river to another.

AIapaha R"1ver
Species

Site Tested

.Recommendation

Chemical

Largemouth Bass

Highway 84, near Taylor

I meal per month

Mercury

Spotted Sucker

See Above

I meal per week

Mercury

Redbreast

See Above

No Restrictions

Altamaha River

Species

Site Tested

Largemouth Bass

Highway 25

Channel Catfish

See Above

Flathead Catfish

See Above

Flathead Catfish

U.S. Hwy I

Recommendation I meal per week No Restrictions I meal per week I meal per week

Chemical Mercury
Mercury Mercury

Brasstown Creek-- Towns Count:

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Northern Hog Sucker Towns County

No Restrictions

Chemical

18

Chattahoochee R'1ver -- L amer cam t0Morgan FaIIs Dam

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Chemical

Brown Trout

Lanier Dam to Morgan Falls Dam

No Restrictions

Rainbow Trout

See Above

I meal per week

Mercury

Carp Spotted Sucker

See Above See Above

I meal per month No Restrictions

PCBs/Chlordane

Largemouth Bass

See Above

I meal per week

PCBs/Chlordane

Yellow Perch

See Above

I meal per week

PCBs/Chlordane

Redear Sunfish

See Above

No Restrictions

Chattahoochee R'1ver -- M or2an FaIIsDam t0 peachtree c reek

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Chemical

Largemouth Bass

Morgan Falls

No Restrictions

Carp

See Above

I meal per month

PCBs

Chattahoochee River -- Peachtree Creek to Franklin, Ga.

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Chemical

Largemouth Bass

Peachtree Creek to Franklin

I meal per month

PCBs/Chlordane

Carp

See Above

I meal per month

PCBs/Chlordane

Channel Catfish

See Above

I meal per week

PCBs/Chlordane

Striped Bass

See Above

I meal per month

PCBs

Chattahoochee River -- Oliver Dam to Chattahoochee County

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Chemical

Largemouth Bass

Eagle Phoenix Dam to Chattahoochee County

No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

See Above

I meal per week

PCBs

19

Chattahoochee River -- Chattahoochee County to Stewart County

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Largemouth Bass

Oswichee Creek to Omaha, Ga.

No Restrictions

Crappie

See Above

No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

See Above

No Restrictions

Chattooga River (northwest Geonia)

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Bluegill

Chattoogaville

No Restrictions

Carp

See Above

No Restrictions

Chemical

Coosa River
Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Smallmouth buffalo Rome to State Line Don't Eat

Largemouth Bass

See Above

I meal per month

Black Crappie

See Above

I meal per week

Striped Bass

See Above

Don't Eat

Spotted Bass

No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

See Above

Don't Eat

. . EtowahR"1ver -- USHLwy. 411 t0 Rorne

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Channel Catfish

U.S. Hwy. 411

No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass

See Above

I meal per week

Spotted Bass

See Above

I meal per week

Bluegill

See Above

No Restrictions

Smallmouth Buffalo See Above

Don't Eat

Chemical PCBs PCBs PCBs PCBs
PCBs
Chemical
PCBs/Mercury PCBs
PCBs

20

Flm' t R"IVer -- S;pald"ID~iIFayette counties

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Largemouth Bass

Ga. Hwy. 92

I meal per week

Spotted Sucker

See Above

No Restrictions

Flint River -- Meriwether/Pike Counties

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Shoal Bass

Ga. Hwy. 18

I meal per week

Channel Catfish

See Above

No Restrictions

FlI' lltR"IVer -- Ta or/UJpson counf1es

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Largemouth Bass

U.S. Hwy. 80

No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

See Above

No Restrictions

Shoal Bass

See Above

No Restrictions

Flint River - Dou~herty County

Species

Site Tested

Largemouth Bass

Downstream of Merck & Co. Wastewater Discharge

Sucker

See Above

Flathead Catfish

See Above

Recommendation No Restrictions
No Restrictions No Restrictions

Flint River - Baker/Mitchell Counties

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Largemouth Bass

Ga. Hwy. 37

No Restrictions

Spotted Sucker

See Above

No Restrictions

Chemical Mercury Chemical Mercury Chemical
Chemical
Chemical

21

0 chiacknee 1ver -- G raday_and Thomas counf1es

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Largemouth Bass Ga. Hwy. 37

No Restrictions

Spotted Sucker

0 cmutgee R"1ver -- HoustonIT . w1g~s Counf1es

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Largemouth Bass

Ga. Hwy. 93

I meal/month

Spotted Bass

See Above

I meal/week

Chemical Mercury Mercury

Oconee River -- Laurens County

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Largemouth Bass

1-16

No Restrictions

Spotted Sucker

See Above

No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

See Above

No Restrictions

Chemical

Ogeechee River-- Jefferson County

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Largemouth Bass

State Hwy. 24

I meal per week

. . Ohoopee JVer -- U S HLwy. 80 to U.S HLwy 280

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Largemouth Bass

1-16

I meal per month

Redbreast Sunfish

See Above

I meal per week

Chemical Mercury
Chemical Mercury Mercury

22

Corrections for Page 22:
1997 Guidelines for Eating Fish from Georgia Waters Booklet

Ochlocknee River - Grady and Thomas Counties

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Largemouth Bass State Hwy 93

1 meal per month Mercury

Spotted Bass

See Above

1 meal per week Mercury

Ocmulgee River - Bibb County

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Flathead Catfish Downstream of 1 meal per week PCBs Tobesofkee Creek

Largemouth Bass See Above

No Restrictions

Ocmulgee River - Houston!fwiggs Counties

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Largemouth Bass Ga. Hwy96

No Restrictions

Flathead Catfish See Above

No Restrictions

Oconee River - Laurens County

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Largemouth Bass 1-16

No Restrictions

Spotted Sucker See Above

No Restrictions

Channel Catfish See Above

No Restrictions

Chemical

Ogeechee River- Jefferson County

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Largemouth Bass State Hwy24

1 meal per week Mercury

Ohoopee River- U.S. Hwy 80 to U.S. Hwy 280

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Largemouth Bass 1-16

1 meal per month

Redbreast Sunfish See Above

1 meal per week

Chemical Mercury Mercury

Note: Page 15 Lake Oliver Largemouth Bass (Over 16 inches) should read 1 meal per month

Oostanaula River

Species

Site Tested

Spotted Bass

Ga. Hwy. 140

Bluegill

See Above

Largemouth Bass

See Above

Small mouth Buffalo See Above

Channel Catfish

See Above

pl_l)_emaker cana

Species

Site Tested

Largemouth Bass

Chatham County

Recommendation No Restrictions No Restrictions I meal per week I meal per month I meal per month
Recommendation I meal per week

Satilla River -- Charlton/Camden Counties

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Largemouth Bass

Ga. Hwy. 252

I meal per month

Redbreast Sunfish

See Above

No Restrictions

Savannah River -- Richmond County

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Largemouth Bass

Downstream of new No Restrictions Savannah Bluff Lock &Dam

Sucker

See Above

No Restrictions

Savannah River -- Chatham County

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Largemouth Bass

U.S. Hwy.l7

No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

See Above

No Restrictions

Chemical
PCBs PCBs PCBs Chemical Mercury Chemical Mercury
Chemical
Chemical

23

South River
Species Largemouth Bass Black Crappie Silver Redhorse Spotted Sucker Redear Sunfish Bullhead Channel Catfish White Catfish

Site Tested Snapping Shoals See Above See Above See Above See Above
See Above See Above

Recommendation I meal per week I meal per month I meal per month I meal per week I meal per week No Restrictions I meal per week I meal per month

Chemical PCBs/Chlordane PCBs/Chlordane PCBs/Chlordane PCBs/Chlordane PCBs/Chlordane
PCBs PCBs

Spring Creek -- Seminole/Decatur/Miller Counties

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Chemical

Largemouth Bass

Ga. Hwy. 84

I meal per week

Mercury

Spotted Sucker

See Above

No Restrictions

St. Marys River -- Charlton County

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Largemouth Bass

Near St. George

I meal per month

Redbreast Sunfish

See Above

I meal per week

Chemical Mercury Mercury

Suwanee River
Species Largemouth Bass
Bullhead Catfish Chain Pickerel

Site Tested Short Camp Road. OffHwy. 177
See Above
See Above

Recommendation I meal per month
I meal per week I meal per week

Chemical Mercury
Mercury Mercury

24

Tallapoosa River

Species

Site Tested

Blacktail Redhorse U.S. Hwy. 27

Bluegill Sunfish

See Above

Recommendation No Restrictions No Restrictions

Chemical

Turtle River (Glynn Co.: Purvis and Gibson Creeks)

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Chemical

Blue crab, clams, mussels, oysters, shrimp, and other seafood

Purvis & Gibson Creeks

Don't Eat

PCBs/Mercury

Turtle River -- Glynn County

Species

Site Tested

Shrimp

Turtle and Buffalo Rivers (Upriver of State Hwy 303)

Blue crab, Flounder, See Above Red Drum

Croaker, Spotted Sea Trout

See Above

Black Drum

See Above

Clams, Mussels, Oysters

See Above

Recommendation No Restrictions
I meal per week I meal per month Don't eat Don't eat

Chemical
PCBs/Mercury PCBs/Mercury PCBs/Mercury
*

25

Turtle River -- Glynn County

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Shrimp

Turtle River (State Hwy 303 to Channel marker 9)

No Restrictions

Flounder

See Above

I meal per week

Black Drum, Red Drum, Spotted Sea Trout, Croaker, Blue Crabs

See Above

I meal per month

Clams, Mussels, Oysters

See Above

Don't eat

Chemical
PCBs/Mercury PCBs/Mercury *

Turtle River -- Glynn County

Species

Site Tested

Shrimp, Red Drum, Flounder

Turtle and South Brunswick River (Channel Marker 9 to Dubignons and Parsons Creeks)

Blue crab, Croaker See Above

Black Drum, Spotted Sea Trout

See Above

Clams, Mussels, Oysters

See Above

Recommendation No Restrictions
I meal per week I meal per month Don't eat

Chemical
PCBs/Mercury PCBs/Mercury *

*Prohibited area for harvest of shellfish based on National Shellfish Sanitation Program Standards

Withlacoochee River

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Chemical

Largemouth Bass

Near Clyattville

I meal per month

Mercury

Suwanee Bass

See Above

I meal per week

Mercury

26