TX Dept. of Health Issues Fish Consumption Advisory
The state's Department of Health has warned Texans against eating six species of fish caught in the Neches River Basin.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has warned Texans not to eat certain species of fish caught in the Neches River Basin, which includes the Sam Rayburn Reservoir and the B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir. The advisory warns that fish caught from this area underwent lab testing that showed elevated levels of mercury and dioxins.
DSHS suggests people limit or avoid the following species caught in that area: blue catfish, flathead catfish, gar, largemouth bass, smallmouth buffalo, and spotted bass. The advisory warns against eating six species of fish caught between the State Highway 7 Bridge west of Lufkin downstream to the U.S. Highway 96 bridge near Evadale and both reservoirs.
The advisory emphasizes that women who are pregnant or nursing and children younger than 12 avoid the fish entirely because it can lead to dangerous symptoms in children.