Some fish you catch in local waters are safe to eat and some aren’t

Fishing season officially began in Connecticut last Saturday, April 20.In anticipation of the season, the state Department of Public Health (DPH) issued its annual reminder that not all the fish caught in local waters should be eaten. “Fish are a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, a nutrient thought to be protective of heart disease and, in pregnant women, beneficial to the developing fetus,” said DPH Commissioner Dr. Jewel Mullen in a press release. “By reviewing our guide and following our advisories, you can continue to safely eat fish and reap their health benefits.”The guide referred to is “If I Catch It, Can I Eat It? A Guide to Safe Eating of Fish Caught in Connecticut,” which can be found online at www.ct.gov/dph/fish and is available at some town halls and some fishing supply shops. Pregnant women and children are considered high-risk groups and are advised to eat no more than one meal per month of freshwater fish caught in Connecticut. “All other groups are advised to eat no more than one meal per week of freshwater fish caught in the state,” according to the press release. “This advice is due to mercury contamination found in Connecticut freshwater fish. In addition, the advice recommends limiting or avoiding striped bass and bluefish caught in Long Island Sound due to PCB contamination.”The notable exception to the limits is trout. The press release explains that, “The majority of trout caught in Connecticut are grown in hatcheries and therefore have very little contamination. Trout less than 15 inches in size are considered safe to eat, even for pregnant women. Large trout (larger than 15 inches) may have been in rivers and lakes longer and had greater exposure to contaminants. These large trout should not be eaten more than once a month by pregnant women or children.”