What are the recommendations about eating fish and shellfish from San Francisco Bay and coast at this time?
OEHHA, in consultation with CDPH found that eating fish and shellfish from the oil spill area does not pose a significant health risk from spill chemicals. OEHHA recommends that only the meat of crabs should be consumed – not their internal organs – because, in general, other chemical contaminants (such as pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs]) are more likely to accumulate there. Do not eat the soft “green stuff” (called “crab butter,” mustard, tomalley, liver, or hepatopancreas) that is found in the body section of crabs. Although the tests found no increased risk due to PAHs from eating fish and crabs from the spill area, it is possible that some fish or crabs may come into contact with pockets of oil. As a common-sense precaution, consumers should avoid eating any fish or shellfish that have an oily smell or taste. People that eat fish from San Francisco Bay are also advised to follow the pre-spill health advisory based on mercury and PCBs for fish from San Francisco Bay.
