Recent studies of fish at Henderson and Hickory ponds have shown that some of the fish may contain levels of mercury and/or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The following fish consumption advisories are currently in effect for the Henderson and Hickory Ponds on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. These reflect the existing North Carolina Department of Public Health’s statewide mercury advisory and will also be protective of potential PCBs in the fish tissue.
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Henderson and Hickory Ponds Fish Consumption Advisory
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Women of child-bearing age (15 – 44 years old), pregnant women , nursing women & children less than 15 years old
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All Other Individuals
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DO NOT EAT fish HIGH in mercury
Including carp, catfish, bowfin, warmouth, largemouth bass, and yellow perch
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May eat up to 1 meal per month of catfish and carp and up to 1 meal per week of fish HIGH in mercury including bowfin, warmouth, largemouth bass, and yellow perch
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Eat up to two meals per week of fish LOW in mercury including bluegill sunfish
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May eat up to 4 meals per week of fish LOW in mercury including bluegill sunfish
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Note: A meal is 6 ounces of uncooked fish for adults or 2 ounces of uncooked fish for children under the age of 15.
You may see these signs around Henderson and Hickory Ponds
A list of additional fish species high and low in mercury is provided in the factsheet: What Fish are Safe to Eat? Advice on Eating Fish, from the North Carolina Division of Public Health.
Specific information about Mercury and PCBs can be found in the factsheets: What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish and Polychlorinated Biphenyls Fact Sheet and FAQs.
Additional information about catching, cleaning and cooking fish in ways that can help reduce potential health risks from chemical pollutants is located in the factsheet: Should I Eat the Fish I Catch.
Please refer to the following websites for additional information on existing fish advisories.
http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/oee/programs/fish.html
http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/fishshellfish/fishadvisories/index.cfm