D.C. is warning residents not to eat some fish caught in District waters because of elevated levels of toxins.
The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) said Wednesday that rockfish, aka striped bass; carp and American eel caught in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers and their tributaries, including Rock Creek, should not be eaten. The fish have unhealthy levels of toxic chemicals like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), the department said.
DOEE also recommends that residents be cautious about eating other fish caught in D.C., including sunfish, blue catfish, northern snakehead, white perch, largemouth bass, brown bullhead catfish and channel catfish.
This second category of fish should only be consumed if it meets D.C.'s fish preparation guidelines. These guidelines emphasize skinning and trimming away the fat of the fish, then cooking it to get rid of any remaining fat.
"Our goal is to protect the health and well-being of our residents," DOEE director Tommy Wells said in a statement. "This advisory helps ensure that residents who enjoy fish from District waters are aware of the health risks associated with consuming certain fish species."
More information about recommended number of fish servings per month can be found here.
Commercial fishing is prohibited in D.C., so the fish that appear on D.C. restaurant menus and in D.C. grocery stores should not contain the same toxins as the fish listed above.
