Childbearing age women, children can eat 4 fish servings per week

New York women age 50 and younger and children age 15 and younger can now eat up to four meals per month of some state fish, state health officials say. Dr. Nirav R. Shah, New York state health commissioner, said the Department of Health issued updated health advisories for the consumption of fish from water bodies in the state. The advisories provide important health information to New Yorkers who enjoy fishing for food, as well as for fun, Shah said. "Fish are an important part of a healthy diet and an excellent source of low-fat protein, but any sport-caught fish could contain contaminants that can be harmful to your health," Shah said in a statement. "By following the state advisories, you can continue to consume fish and reap their health benefits." The health advisories are updated each year based on fish samples collected from different waters, and the information is available in both statewide and regional formats as well as online. Women age 50 and younger and children age 15 and younger can now eat up to four meals per month of rock bass, yellow perch and burbot and up to one meal a month of any other fish besides carp and channel catfish from the Niagara River above Niagara Falls. This same advice is also in effect for Lake Erie, resulting in more options for women and children in the western region. Men age 15 and older and women age 50 and older are advised they can eat up to one meal per month of carp and channel catfish from Lake Erie and the Niagara River above Niagara Falls. Advice has been issued by the state to avoid eating fish or crab from Paerdegat Basin in Jamaica Bay following an oily spill containing PCBs in 2012, Shah said. The complete statewide advisories for fish and game are at the DOH website at www.health.ny.gov/fish or call 518-402-7800; toll-free at 800-458-1158.