Why are fish consumption advisories needed?
Contaminants such as chlordane, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and mercury have been found in various fish species in certain rivers throughout the watershed. To ensure the continued good health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed’s citizenry, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia issue fish consumption guidance for certain fish species in certain waters within their states, including portions of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Some fish consumption advisories are issued to protect the general public while others are issued to protect the sensitive populations such as women of childbearing age, nursing mothers, pregnant women, and children.
