ADPH Issues Fish Consumption Advisories For Certain West Alabama Waterways

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and Black Warrior Riverkeeper are encouraging those on certain waterways be mindful of potential health hazards in the fish they catch and consume.

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The advisories are issued due to certain toxic chemicals found in some lakes and rivers in Alabama, some of which can accumulate in fish and pose health risks to the public if they are eaten.

In total, 216 fish consumption advisories were issued in Alabama last month, with 19 just in the Black Warrior River watershed.

“Fishing is a great tradition in Alabama, connecting generations to our abundant waterways and contributing to our massive outdoor recreation industry.” Black Warrior Riverkeeper Executive Director Charles Scribner said. “We are proud to promote fishing while working with partners to help folks make informed decisions about eating certain fish they catch.”

In the latest ADPH Alabama Fish Consumption Advisories publication, the following advisories were issued for different tributaries around the Tuscaloosa Patch coverage area.

• Binion Creek, immediately upstream of U.S. Highway 43 in Tuscaloosa County. Any species of fish caught in this area should not be consumed due to high levels of mercury being identified.
• Black Warrior River, approximately one mile upstream of Highway 43 near Demopolis in Greene County. This advisory relates to largemouth bass, which should be limited to no more than two meals per month due to high levels of mercury.
• Lost Creek embayment, approximately 0.5 miles downstream of the Walker County Road 53 bridge in Walker County. This advisory relates to largemouth bass, which should be limited to no more than two meals per month due to high levels of mercury.
• Oliver Reservoir, lower reservoir and dam forebay in Tuscaloosa County. This advisory relates to largemouth bass, which should not be consumed due to high levels of mercury being identified.
• Tuscaloosa Reservoir — Lower reservoir, dam forebay) in Tuscaloosa County. This advisory relates to largemouth bass, which should not be consumed to to high levels of mercury being identified.
• Tuscaloosa Reservoir — mid reservoir, approximately one mile downstream of the Alabama Highway 69 bridge in Tuscaloosa County. This advisory relates to largemouth bass, which should be limited to no more than two meals per month due to high levels of mercury.
• Tuscaloosa Reservoir — North River, immediately upstream of the Bull Slough Road crossing in Tuscaloosa County. This advisory relates to largemouth bass, which should not be consumed due to high levels of mercury being identified.
• Warrior Reservoir — lower reservoir, dam forebay in Greene County. This advisory relates to largemouth bass, which should not be consumed due to high levels of mercury being identified.
• Warrior Reservoir — mid reservoir, immediately downstream of the Lock 8 Public Use Area in Greene County. This advisory relates to largemouth bass, which should be limited to no more than one meal per month due to high levels of mercury.
• Warrior Reservoir — Black Warrior River at Moundville, approximately located at river mile 302.7 in Tuscaloosa County. This advisory relates to largemouth bass, which should be limited to no more than two meals per month due to high levels of mercury.

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