The Texas Department of State Health Services is warning people against consuming fish from Texas waterways near San Antonio and at the Gulf Coast.
William Luther, Staff / Staff
Avoid consuming fish from these waterways near San Antonio and at the Texas coast
Published: Sun, 04/16/23
Avoid consuming fish from these waterways near San Antonio and at the Texas coast
The Texas Department of State Health Services is warning people against consuming fish from Texas waterways near San Antonio and at the Gulf Coast.
William Luther, Staff / Staff
San Antonio Express-News
Gabriella Ybarra, Staff writer
The Texas government is warning people against consuming fish in waterways near San Antonio and at the coast due to the presence of contaminants.
The Texas Department of State Health Services said it monitors fish in the state for environmental contaminants and issues bans and advisories when it believes a fish poses a danger to human health if consumed.
Here is a rundown of consumption bans and advisories as of April 12. The following information is from State Health Services; a full list is available on its website.
Consumption bans
Portions of upper Lavaca Bay in Calhoun County and Donna Irrigation System in Hidalgo County
- The possession of all species of fish and crabs from these areas is prohibited, but catch-and-release is lawful.
Saltwater consumption advisories
All Texas coastal waters due to the concern of mercury
- Blue marlin of any length should not be consumed.
- For blackfin tuna, little tunny, crevalle jack, swordfish, wahoo and all species of sharks:
- Adult men and women who are past childbearing age should limit consumption to two, 8-ounce meals per month.
- Children under 12 and women of childbearing age should not consume these species.
- For king mackerel less than 35 inches in length, adult men and women who are past childbearing age should limit consumption to one 8-ounce meal per week. For those more than 35 inches, adult men and women past childbearing age should limit consumption to two, 8-ounce meals per month. Children under 12 and women of childbearing age should not consume any king mackerel from Texas coastal waters.
Freshwater consumption advisories
Canyon Lake in Comal County due to the concern of mercury
- For striped bass and longnose gar, adults and children 12 and older are advised to eat no more than two 8-ounce servings per month. Children under 12 should eat no more than two 4-ounce servings per month.
- Pregnant women, women who could become pregnant and mothers who are breastfeeding are advised not to eat any striped bass or longnose gar from the lake.
Lower Leon Creek in San Antonio, Bexar County due to concerns of polychlorinated biphenyls
- People should not consume any species of fish from Leon Creek starting at the Old U.S. 90 bridge downstream to the Loop 410 bridge.
Arroyo Colorado, Llano Grande Lake and the Main Floodway upstream of the Port of Harlingen in Cameron and Hidalgo counties due to concerns of mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls
- People should not consume longnose gar from these waters.
- For smallmouth buffalo, adults are advised to eat no more than two 8-ounce servings per month. Women of childbearing age and children under 12 should not consume smallmouth buffalo from these waters.
Gabriella.Ybarra@express-news.net