The Missouri Fish Advisory is a collaboration between the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and other agencies to evaluate the amount of contaminants in fish commonly caught in Missouri. DHSS then determines whether there are any health risks associated with eating fish from Missouri waters. While fish is generally a healthy food — rich in protein, essential nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids — there are instances in which DHSS advises limiting or avoiding fish consumption. These recommendations are presented in the Missouri Fish Advisory, which provides all Missouri residents with advice on the safe amount of fish to eat and encourages a healthy diet that includes fish.
Each year, DHSS collaborates with other state agencies to identify target water bodies and test fish for chemical contaminants. Sampling locations and species are often chosen based on annual fish-tissue studies conducted by MDC and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at various lakes, ponds, rivers and streams across the state. Following laboratory testing, DHSS uses the latest science to develop reasonable, conservative consumption guidelines for Missouri. Children are particularly sensitive to certain contaminants; in addition to general consumption advice, DHSS provides specific recommendations for pregnant women, women who might become pregnant, nursing mothers and children under 13 years old. Consumption advice and online resources are provided to help the public make informed decisions about the benefits and risks of eating locally caught fish from Missouri waters.
This advisory is not intended to discourage Missourians from eating fish. These recommendations are intended to minimize the amount of contaminants you eat in fish while maximizing the benefits to your health. Health experts from the American Heart Association recommend eating fish as part of a balanced diet.
- Fish is rich in high-quality protein and other essential nutrients, like vitamin D
- Fish is low in saturated fat and cholesterol
- Fatty fish, such as salmon (and to a lesser extent, tuna and trout), are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which may:
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower the risk of heart disease
- Enhance immune function
- Decrease triglycerides
- Improve learning ability in children
- Lower cholesterol when substituted for saturated fatty acids such as those in meat
However, all fish contain some small amount of chemical contaminants. In most instances and for most people, the health benefits of eating fish outweigh the potential health risks from those contaminants. To minimize the amount of contaminants in fish you eat, DHSS recommends the following general guidelines:
- Eat smaller, legal-size fish.
- Eat smaller portions – a fillet about the size of your palm.
- Avoid eating fish parts other than fillets - remove the skin and trim away fatty portions.
- Broil, grill, or bake the trimmed, skinned fish on a rack so the fat drips away; do not reuse oil or fat from cooking fish (the drippings) to prepare sauces or gravies.
- Do not eat fish or aquatic life from wastewater outfalls, waste treatment lagoons, or stormwater retention ponds.
The complete Fish Advisory provides further details on specific contaminants and on cleaning, cooking and other preparation techniques to minimize contaminants.
Note: The precautions to address contaminants that bioaccumulate in fatty tissue will not reduce the amount of mercury or other metals in a fish. Mercury is distributed throughout a fish's muscle tissue rather than in the fat and skin. Mercury cannot be eliminated by cooking it differently. The only way to reduce mercury intake is to eat less contaminated fish.
Information
All requests for public information should be directed to the Office of Public Information. Call 573.751.6062 or email info@health.mo.gov.