Fish consumption advisory issued

GALLATIN COUNTY - A fish consumption advisory was issued today by the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for the stretch of the Ohio River from the mouth of the Big Sandy River downstream to Markland Dam near Warsaw.

Recent tissue samplings of sauger and catfish from the river found elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyl and mercury.

The public is asked to limit consumption of several fish species caught in the river to one meal per month and six meals per year for women of childbearing age, children 6 years old or younger, pregnant and nursing women and women who plan to become pregnant.

- Cincinnati Enquirer Staff Report, July 29, 2008


If ever you’ve needed a reason not to hunt these precious beings for the sake of sustenance, here you have it. The river fish are adapting to the second most dangerous predator they face, the human, by intentionally infusing themselves with polychlorinated biphenyl and mercury. If only gigantic catfish were equally cautioned. Unfortunately we can only assume that the great beast will continue to eat smaller contaminated fish (as well as the now-contaminated homeless that fail to receive warnings published in newspapers and therefore continue to fish for sauger) at majestic rates. No doubt the polychlorinated biphenyl and mercury will only add to its size and powers.