Advisory

New Advisory for the San Francisco Bay gives fishermen and their families more choice

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and local health departments have been posting warning signs along shores, piers, and boat launches. It’s part of a multi-faceted campaign that has brought together community organizations and local government to educate fishermen and their families about eating fish from the San Francisco Bay safely.

In May of 2011, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) released an updated advisory for eating fish from the San Francisco Bay. The new guidelines allow for greater consumption of bay-caught fish-- good news for people who eat fish from the bay—but also make clear which species of fish should be avoided, some Bay fish contain chemicals, such as mercury and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) that can harm your health. Women between the ages of 18 and 45, and children under 18 years should take special care in choosing fish from the bay that are lower in chemicals and higher in nutrients.