Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
Mississippi State Department of Health
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2011
Contacts: Robbie Wilbur, MDEQ, 601/961-5277
Liz Sharlot, MSDH, 601/576-7667
MDEQ AND MSDH MODIFY DELTA FISH ADVISORY
(JACKSON, Miss.) -- The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) announced today that they are removing several waters from the 2001 Delta Regional Fish Advisory. The agencies, in conjunction with the Mississippi Fish Advisory Task Force, have determined through fish tissue data analysis that people can now consume all species of fish caught from Steele Bayou, Black Bayou, Bee Lake, Recon Lake (Rainey’s Lake), and Charlie Capps Lake.
The Delta Regional Fish Advisory, which remains in effect for the rest of the Delta, was issued in 2001 because of elevated levels of the pesticides DDT and toxaphene in certain types of fish. This advisory recommends that people limit their consumption of carp, gar, buffalo and large catfish (> 22") to no more than two meals per month, and for people to not eat buffalo from Roebuck Lake. This advisory modification also removes this “No Consumption” restriction for buffalo from Roebuck Lake, but the lake remains under the general Delta Regional Fish Advisory.
The bodies of water are located in the following counties:
●Steele Bayou (Issaquena, Sharkey, Warren, and Washington Counties)
●Black Bayou (Washington County)
●Bee Lake (Holmes County)
●Recon Lake (or Rainey’s Lake - Bolivar County)
●Charlie Capps Lake (Bolivar County)
●Roebuck Lake (Leflore County)
“The decline in pesticide levels in fish from these waters is good news for Delta residents and fishermen and for our environment. This good news is partially due to the natural breakdown of these chemicals, but also to the diligent work by multiple natural resource agencies, farmers in the Delta, and other partners, who have implemented plans and practices to reduce soil loss and keep soil and chemicals out of Delta streams. These partners have worked together with residents to balance the needs of agriculture with protection of our natural resources. Maintaining and improving the health of our state’s air, land, and water is beneficial to all our citizens both economically and for our quality of life. We encourage anyone who has questions to contact our agency for assistance,” said Trudy D. Fisher, MDEQ Executive Director.
"This is great news for the Delta and for Mississippi. We hope with time and best land management practices - like prevention tactics to minimize soil loss and runoff of soil and chemicals into the waters - that pesticide levels in the fish will continue to drop. The continued solid work of the various state and federal agencies, the Delta Council, and the area farmers will make this possible," said State Health Officer Dr. Mary Currier.
Except for the waters listed above, the Delta Regional Fish Advisory now applies to the entire Delta, from the bluff hills to the Mississippi River Levee. This advisory does not apply to the Mississippi River and waters located west of the mainstem Mississippi River levee, and it does not apply to farm raised catfish. The advisory recommends that people limit their consumption of carp, gar, buffalo and large catfish (>22"), to no more than two meals per month from all other water bodies in this part of the state. More information on this and other fish advisories can be found at: http://bit.ly/fishadvisory.
(map of the advisory area attached) |