Dr. Randy Manning, Coordinator of the EPD's
Environmental Toxicology Program, helped combine the multiple advisories
into one. He pointed out, however, that "this is an excellent example of an
educational resource developed primarily by local interests and tailored to
address specific community needs. The public should note," says Manning,
"that these are advisories about consumption, not about fishing. It is
always safe to catch a fish; it may not always be safe to eat it." Glynn
County advisories cover the entire Turtle River system from the Jekyll pier
to its headwaters and parts of Terry Creek, Dupree Creek, and Back River.
The education piece highlights these areas in bright yellow.
According
to the DNR's "Guidelines For Eating Fish From Georgia Waters", the
contaminants of concern in these areas are PCB's, mercury, and toxaphene and
related compounds. "These contaminants can cause serious health effects,"
says Manning. "The public needs to take the recommended limits on
consumption of fish from these areas seriously."
In
general, most people can safely consume four meals per month of blue crab,
red drum, spotted sea trout, or flounder from the advisory areas and one
meal per month of black drum, spot, whiting, striped mullet, croaker, and
sheepshead. Exceptions are that spot should not be eaten from Terry and
Dupree Creeks north of the Torras Causeway up to Back River, and mullet,
croaker, and spot should not be eaten from parts of the Turtle River
system. Consumption of shrimp from Purvis and Gibson Creeks is now limited
to one meal per month. These guidelines assume a portion size of four to
eight ounces per meal.
"But," cautions Hummel, "women who are pregnant or
nursing and children under the age of seven who eat contaminated seafood are
at higher risk. This group should strictly adhere to the published
guidelines and may wish to reduce their intake of selected fish types from
the advisory areas. Don't stop eating seafood; it is a most important
source of nutrition, providing essential proteins, iodine, omega-3 fatty
acids, vitamins and minerals."
Another
important consideration is the size and age of the fish consumed. "People
like to catch big fish," Manning says, "but the older and larger fish are
likely to be more contaminated than younger, smaller fish, simply because
they have had more time for the poisons to bio-accumulate. Consume the
little fish; throw the big ones back."
The GEC
has contracted with Clyde Williams to do public outreach with the
educational flyer. Frank Lea, Coalition President, says "We are very
fortunate to have Mr. Williams handling this part of the project. He has
been fishing our local waters for more than 50 years and knows who needs
this information." Mr. Williams had a 42 year career in public education in
McIntosh and Glynn Counties. He was the Principal of Glynn Academy from
1980 --to 1994. And he has a personal interest in this project.
"The
Turtle River area was one of my favorite fishing spots before the pollution
was discovered," states Williams. "I have to wonder what effect eating
those fish has had on me and my family. I want to be sure no one is harmed
by eating fish from there." Mr. Williams echoes the advice of Dr. Manning:
"Don't save anything you wouldn't eat. If you aren't going to eat it, put
it back."
Williams
will concentrate on teaching people how to properly clean and prepare
locally caught fish. "Some people want to cook them with everything on,
head and all," he says. "Don't. Take off the head, remove the guts, and
remove the fatty dark parts and the skin. Those are the parts which will
hold the most poison. Then, the safest ways to cook the fish are broiling,
baking, or grilling. You can deep-fry the fish, but do not re-use the oil.
Pan-frying is the worst way to cook the fish, because all the poison stays
right there in the pan."
Williams
is taking the two-sided, full color educational piece throughout the
community to places where people who need this information can get it. It
is available in both English and Spanish from the maternity ward at the
Hospital, from CRD and the Health Department, and from many bait shops,
fishing license purchase points, and at fishing spots themselves. Copies
are being laminated for posting at docks and boat ramps and for use in fish
shops. The Spanish version is being disseminated by the local
Latin-American Association. Both versions are also available online at
www.glynnenvironmental.org.
Interested parties may also call the GEC directly at 466-0934.
Williams
and Spud Woodward, the Assistant Director for Marine Fisheries at CRD, are
working on a plan to do hands-on education for the local community. "Printed
materials are a great way to educate the public, but there is no substitute
for talking with people" says Woodward. "We look forward to helping Mr.
Williams show anglers how to prepare their catch in a way that reduces risk
of exposure to contaminants." Groups wishing to schedule such a program may
contact the GEC at 466-0934.
Other
contact numbers are 264-3931 for the Glynn County Health Department and
264-7218 for the Coastal Resources Division.
The
educational project is scheduled through August.
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P. O. Box 2443