NSW Government issues precautionary dietary advice for consuming fish caught in Botany Bay and the Georges River
- Published Date
- 15/12/2017
- News Topic
- Sustainability & Environment
The NSW Government has released precautionary dietary advice following testing that found eight species of fish had traces of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of manufactured chemicals.
PFAS are a group of manufactured chemicals that are widely used in many industrial and consumer products, including food packaging, non-stick cookware and some types of fire-fighting foam.
Tests were carried out in Botany Bay and the Georges River as part of a state-wide investigation program led by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). PFAS compounds were detected in multiple species – please refer to the table below for a full breakdown.
Whilst it is not known what the health effects are from consuming products containing PFAS, the EPA is advising the public to limit the number of servings when consuming fish caught in these areas (or where the area of origin is unknown).
The advice being provided by the EPA is to limit the number of servings of those fish that are effected by exposure to PFAS, with different advice for children and adults.
Botany Bay and the Georges River remain open for fishing and fishers can still take fish within bag and size limits, or they can catch and release.
For more information, call the NSW Environment Line on 131 555. You can view the EPA Factsheet here PDF, 290.61 KB.
Species | Servings per week* Children - 2 to 6 years old | Servings per week* All other age groups |
---|---|---|
Dusky Flathead | 3 | # |
Mulloway | 1 | 2 |
Luderick | 6 | # |
Silver Trevally | 3 | 5 |
Arripis Trutta (Australian Salmon) | Refer to specific advice below** | Refer to specific advice below** |
Estuary Perch | 2 | 5 |
Tailor | 3 | 6 |
*Adult Serving size = 150 grams; Children Serving Size = 75 grams.
#Concentrations of PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS were below the adopted trigger values in the samples analysed. No dietary advice is required based on the reported PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS concentrations.
** Arripis Trutta (Australian Salmon) - Due to the elevated concentrations of PFAS compounds reported in Arripis Trutta caught in Botany Bay, the NSW PFAS Taskforce suggests that this species is catch and release only as a precautionary measure. However, should individuals wish to consume this species caught in Botany Bay, it is recommended that children (aged 2 to 6 years old) limit themselves to one serve per fortnight, and all other age groups limit themselves to two serve per fortnight.
Note:
- Consumption of offal in all species should be avoided.
- This advice is if one single species is eaten. Eating multiple species would result in a greater exposure. For example:
- for a child eating fish caught in Botany Bay and the Georges River downstream of the Princes Highway (Tom Ugly's) Bride - eating 1/2 serve of Australian salmon and 1 serve of any other species listed in the table in one week would exceed the recommended PFAS intake.
- for an adult eating fish caught in the same area, eating 1 serve of mulloway, 1 serve of silver trevally and 1 serve of estuary perch in one week would not exceed the recommended PFAS intake via fish sources.
- Blue Groper, Red Morwong, Sand Whiting, Yellowfin Leatherjacket, Yellowfin Bream, Blue Swimmer Crab, Sydney Rock Oyster, Pacific Oyster and Squid were also sampled and tested from this region, but no dietary advice is necessary for these species. Farmed oysters are also safe to eat.
- General fish and seafood consumption advice states that people should eat 2-3 serves of fish and seafood each week as part of a balanced diet.
- Independent of the site-specific advice related to PFAS above, pregnant women and women planning pregnancy should see the following fish consumption advice published by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) relating to mercury. www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/chemicals/mercury/Pages/default.aspx