Audio By Carbonatix
Three state agencies put out a serious-sounding mercury advisory today for fishermen using Roosevelt Lake and Lake Pleasant, the state’s biggest lakes.
Troubling levels of mercury have been found in largemouth bass and channel catfish (pictured below) at Roosevelt, and in largemouth bass at Lake Pleasant, according to an announcement today by the the state agencies of Game and Fish, Health Services and Environmental Quality. Kids under age 6 shouldn’t eat these fish at all from the lakes, and adults should limit their intake to one or two fish meals a month.
Excerpts from the DEQ’s news release:
The inclusion of Lake Pleasant, north of Phoenix in Maricopa County, and
Roosevelt Lake, northwest of Globe in Gila County, brings the total
number of lakes in Arizona affected by fish consumption advisories for
mercury to 13.
Our work is funded by readers like you who make voluntary gifts because they value our work and want to see it continue. Make a contribution today to help us reach our $30,000 goal! … The latest advisory does not limit use of the lakes for fishing, bird watching,
swimming or other recreational uses. The ADEQ has taken a conservative
approach in assessing the risks associated with eating fish from the
lakes. In addition, there is no limit on eating sunfish, such as black
crappie, bluegill, green sunfish and red-ear from either lake. … In addition to Lake Pleasant and Roosevelt Lake, fish consumption
advisories remain in place for the following water bodies in Arizona:
Arivaca Lake, Alamo Lake, Parker Canyon Lake, Upper Lake Mary, Lower
Lake Mary, Lyman Lake, Pena Blanca Lake, Coors Lake, Soldier Lake,
Soldier Annex Lake and Long Lake.
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See ADEQ’s Web site for more information.
