Freshwater, saltwater, and fly-fishing as of 2023 were at the highest levels in over a decade, with 58 million Americans packing their rods and reels before heading out to their favorite riverbank or lake.
Consumption of their catch is on the upswing, too, with per capita intake of fish growing to 20.5 pounds in 2021, up from 11 pounds in 1968.
State food safety programs have increasingly focused on the quality of the waters where fishing occurs. For example, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently found filets of fish taken from four lakes had elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS):
It did not result in “No Fishing” signs being posted, but MDHHS did issue a widely distributed warning. The waters concerning MDHHS are lakes near cities south of Grand Rapids including:
=Luvis Lake in Grandville
=Porter Lake in Grandville
=Spelman Lake located at the Wyoming, Michigan, Clean Water Plant
=Hopewell Indian Mounds Pond in Wyoming
In addition, an earlier Do Not Eat advisory for all fish and aquatic or semi-aquatic wildlife taken from Clark’s Marsh remains in place
The PFOS levels in the fish ranged from 74.4 to 514.3 parts per billion (ppb).
Michigan’s “Eat Safe Fish” program requires “Do Not Eat” advisories when the average level of PF OS found in the fish fillets exceeds 49.6 ppb.
We recommend that no one eat fish listed as Do Not Eat, regardless of age or health,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “When these fish were tested, MDHHS found high levels of PFOS, and we want Michiganders to be aware that eating fish from these waterbodies could lead to health problems in the future.”
MDHHS said the fishing community should be aware that eating fish contaminated with higher levels of PFOS can cause:
Harm to thyroid function
Changes in immune response
Increases in LDL and total cholesterol levels
Harm to liver function
Pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia
Fishing rivers and lakes in the United States, as of 2023, was an economic activity valued at more than $9 billion. In addition to consumption, it supports an estimated 945,500 jobs.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)
