Thursday, July 21, 2011

ADEQ Fish Consumption Advisory for Tonto Creek

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued a fish consumption advisory. The advisory recommends that people not eat certain fish caught from a 51 mile stretch of Tonto Creek between Hellsgate Wilderness and Roosevelt Lake.

Tissue samples of fish from Tonto Creek are showing high levels of mercury. The consumption advisory recommends that people not eat smallmouth and largemouth bass, green sunfish and black bullhead catfish caught from this stretch of Tonto Creek. The advisory recommends that carp caught from this section should not be eaten by children under 6, and that it be limited to one eight ounce serving a month for those between 6 and 16 and two servings a month for those over 16.

The advisory does not limit the consumption of trout taken from Tonto Creek or the use of Tonto Creek for fishing or other recreational activities.

Fish consumption advisories also remain in place for several other Arizona waterbodies, including Roosevelt Lake.

ADEQ officials are contimuing to test Tonto Creek to identify the source of the contamination. The advisories will remain in effect until further notice.

More info:
Fish Consumption Advisories Fact Sheet
Tonto Creek FAQs

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