Arkansas Department of Health issues fish consumption advisory for Bull Shoals, Norfork Lakes

Minimal ROCK, Ark. (KY3) – The Arkansas Division of Health and fitness issued a fish consumption advisory for walleye on Bull Shoals Lake (Marion, Baxter, and Boone counties) and Norfork Lake (Baxter and Fulton counties).

This advisory arrives following some walleye from both equally waterbodies, collected by the Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee and tested by the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality, had been located to consist of concentrations of mercury that could probably set human overall health at risk. The ADH has scheduled a February 7 assembly at the Donald W. Reynolds Library in Mountain Household commencing at 5 p.m. to respond to basic inquiries on this advisory. Personnel with AGFC and ADEQ will also be in attendance to solution concerns associated to their roles in the approach.

Additional than 20 waterbodies in Arkansas are underneath a fish usage advisory because of to mercury. Nationally, all 50 states have use advisories for at least a person fish species because of to mercury.

This advisory is a observe about the mercury stages in some walleye and the attainable wellness effects on those who on a regular basis try to eat the fish from these lakes. This advisory does not affect swimmers, skiers, boaters, catch and release functions, or other leisure employs and does not limit Bull Shoals Lake or Norfork Lake as a consuming water supply.

Occasional fish customers, these types of as vacationers and sporting activities anglers, are at very little chance for adverse wellbeing consequences. These most at hazard include pregnant women, small young children, and men and women who usually try to eat walleye from Bull Shoals or Norfork lakes.

The fish intake advisory is as follows:

High-Hazard Teams (pregnant gals, breastfeeding women of all ages, women arranging to be expecting, and little ones less than the age of 7 several years):
You need to not consume walleye (18 inches or more time) from these lakes.
Typical Community (guys, girls, and little ones seven several years and more mature):
Recommend taking in no much more than two foods for each thirty day period of walleye (18 inches or extended) from these lakes.
Consuming fish with mercury will not make folks sick ideal absent, but as you consume additional and extra, it can construct up in the body and, more than time, possibly trigger adverse wellness results.

For extra details about fish consumption advisories in Arkansas, visit www.nutritious.arkansas.gov and style ‘mercury’ in the Clever Look for box on the right-hand side of the webpage. You might also stop by Fish Consumption Advisories.

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