New Jersey updates fish consumption advisories for lower Delaware River Watershed, expands testing to include PFAs

TRENTON — The NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection, in partnership with the Dept. of Health, updated recreational fish advisories for tributaries, lakes and ponds in the lower Delaware River watershed as part of the state’s ongoing fish-safety-monitoring program.
The DEP also expanded testing of fish in selected water bodies in this and other regions of the state to include several chemicals of emerging concern—perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.
These analyses have resulted in the DEP's first consumption advisories for these chemicals.
“Before going fishing, anglers should take a few minutes to review advisories in place for their favorite fishing spots so they can make good decisions about eating the fish they catch,” said DEP Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe.
The DEP tested 11 fish species in 14 water bodies in Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean and Salem counties for PCBs, mercury and pesticides.
The testing resulted in less restrictive advisories for 36 species than had been in place, while 24 saw no change.
Ten advisories are now more restrictive.
Data collected for species not tested in previous years, as well as at one new sample location, resulted in 30 new consumption advisories for the lower Delaware River watershed region.
Due to growing concerns over the presence of PFAS in the environment, the DEP also sampled water, sediment and fish-tissue samples from a limited number of water bodies in the lower Delaware River watershed and other regions of the state, selected for their proximity to potential sources of PFAS and likelihood of being used for recreation and fishing.
PFAs — which include compounds more commonly known as PFOA, PFOS and PFNA — were once widely used in applications such as nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging and firefighting foams.
These chemicals are persistent in the environment and can accumulate in people exposed to them.
Water bodies tested included the Passaic River in Passaic County, the Raritan River in Bergen and Passaic counties, the Metedeconk River in Ocean County, several lakes adjacent to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Burlington and Ocean counties, the North Branch of Rancocas Creek in Burlington County, Woodbury Creek in Gloucester County, Fenwick Creek in Salem County and the Cohansey River in Cumberland County.
Many of the fish on New Jersey's advisory lists are typically caught and released without being consumed, but some people rely on some of the species on the advisory lists for food.
“Fishing provides enjoyable and relaxing recreation, and we know many people enjoy cooking and eating their own catch,” Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal said. “However, certain fish may contain contaminants and pose serious health risks like cancer and nervous system issues. It is a good idea to follow these advisories when consuming recreationally caught fish and crabs, particularly if you eat them often.”
The DEP and Department of Health advise anglers to get the latest advisories for the specific water body they fish by visiting www.fishsmarteatsmartnj.org.
For much of the population, advisories can range from no restrictions to a recommendation to limit consumption to one meal per week.
For the high-risk population — which includes pregnant women, women planning to become pregnant, nursing mothers, infants and children — advisories can range from no more than one meal per week to “do not eat.”
Those who eat species under advisories can take to reduce their exposure by using proper cleaning and cooking techniques, and removing some of the fat from the fish, which can significantly reduce levels of PCBs and organic chemicals.
These techniques will not reduce or remove unsafe levels of mercury from fish, however.
For all freshwater fish and waters not covered by consumption advisories, consumers should follow the DEP's general freshwater advisories, which recommend eating no more than one meal per week for the general population and no more than one meal a month for high-risk individuals.