THE DIRT: Fish consumption advisory for the Cd’A Basin
North Idaho offers some of the best fishing opportunities in the region, with Lake Coeur d’Alene and surrounding waters providing a rich habitat for a variety of fish species. Unfortunately, like many water bodies across the country, some fish species in this area have been found to contain elevated levels of mercury. To ensure safe and enjoyable fishing experiences, health officials have issued guidelines to help anglers monitor their fish consumption.
Studies conducted by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW), the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Panhandle Health District, Fish and Game and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe have detected elevated mercury levels in species such as northern pike, bass and kokanee. Mercury is a naturally occurring element that can also be introduced through industrial activity. It is a neurotoxin that can impact brain development and nervous system function, particularly in pregnant women and young children. Mercury is the main contaminant of concern driving fish consumption meal limit recommendations.
To minimize exposure to these contaminants, health officials recommend limiting your intake to no more than the following per month:
• 2-5 servings of northern pike
• 3-11 servings of panfish
• 6-20 servings of kokanee
• 1-4 servings of bass
Serving size and quantity varies depending upon your inclusion in the general adult population, if you are pregnant or if you are a child. The location where a fish was caught can also affect the amount of mercury accumulated within a fish. For more specific recommendations please visit: http://fishadvisory.dhw.idaho.gov.
The advisory recommends eating younger fish and those lower in the food chain, such as trout and kokanee, because they are generally less contaminated. Fat should be trimmed and skin and organs removed before cooking fish to reduce the likelihood of contaminants. Cooking methods such as grilling or broiling do not reduce mercury content, making it essential to follow these guidelines when consuming local fish.
Beyond mercury, legacy contamination from historical mining activities has introduced heavy metals like lead, arsenic and cadmium into the Coeur d’Alene Basin. These pollutants settle in lakebed sediments and accumulate in fish, further increasing potential health risks. Levels of cadmium, arsenic and lead found in fish tissue are not expected to harm people’s health when following meal recommendations.
The DHW recognizes the health benefits of eating fish and is providing this advisory to encourage safe consumption. Fishing remains a beloved activity in North Idaho, and by staying informed, residents and visitors can continue to enjoy the sport while making health-conscious choices about fish consumption.
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The Dirt is a series of informative articles focused on all aspects of cleanup efforts associated with the Bunker Hill Superfund Site. Our goal is to promote community awareness of contamination issues, to provide tools for protecting public health, and to keep the community informed of current and future cleanup projects. The Dirt is a group of committed and local experts from multiple agencies including the Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission, Panhandle Health District, Shoshone County, Silver Valley Economic Development Corporation, and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.
