FREE FISH ARE GOOD IN MODERATION, BUT WATCH OUT FOR BOTTOM-FEEDERS

Hundreds of people accepted Missouri's offer of a day of free fishing without a license Saturday, but government officials are cautioning that catches from certain regions of the state be eaten in moderation.

The Missouri Department of Health recently released a report that advised against eating fish caught in Missouri streams and rivers more than once per week. A number of fish varieties and their eggs have been found to have higher levels of contaminants that could cause an increased risk for cancer and other health problems.

"We certainly don't want people to stop eating fish or worrying inordinantly about eating fish, but we do want them to avoid bottom feeders," said environmental specialist Randy Maley.

The advisory restricts consumption in 64 counties to one meal per week or less of catfish, carp, buffalo, drum, suckers and paddlefish. This restriction includes Scott, Mississippi, Stoddard, New Madrid, Pemiscot and Dunklin counties in Southeast Missouri.

Sunfish, carp, redhorse and suckers from the Big River, Flat River and Big Creek should not be eaten in Jefferson, Iron and St. Francois counties.

Forty-eight counties -- including Ste. Genevieve, Perry, Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Madison, Wayne and Stoddard -- are considered the Missouri Ozarks. All fish are safe to eat in any amounts in these areas.

"The areas considered to be the Ozarks are contaminant-free because there is no heavy industry and not much intense agriculture," Maley said. "You don't have the pesticides and chemicals that would have been applied in the past 20-plus years."

Maley said annual random testing is performed to determine whether fish are suffering from water pollution. Bottom feeders tend to have higher levels of contamination because they are more likely to intake insolvent, manmade chemicals that have lodged in the water sediments.

Chemicals like chlordane and DDT, which were used by farmers before being banned, still can be found in sediments in agricultural areas of the state.

Also causing concern are metals that are harmful to humans. Rising lead levels have been found in fish tested in Big Creek near Glover. Mercury levels, which are increasing in other states, also are being monitored in Missouri.

"There is sampling done in all the big rivers and many of the smaller rivers, major reservoirs, and even the smaller lakes," Maley said. "Bottom feeders tend to have a higher fat content, and these contaminants -- except for lead -- tend to settle in fat."

Maley said testing also was done in some ponds and lakes with good results. These fishing sites, often stocked with farm-raised catfish and others, are generally safe because the waterways are not exposed to contaminants.

"I haven't seen a site where you've had any type of runoff going into those farms that caused any contamination," he said. "In the majority of these catfish farms that's their livelihood, and they've been very good bout protecting the watershed."

State officials stress that fish are a good source of healthy protein and are low in cholesterol and harmful fats. Missourians should continue to enjoy eating fish, but as with everything, it should be done in moderation.

"We timed the fish advisory when we knew people are going to be doing a lot of fishing," Maley said. "We certainly don't want to cause a panic or for them to quit eating fish."