StriperChaser Fishing News and Views: To eat or not to eat?

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To eat or not to eat?

Posted by StriperChaser on December 31, 2004, 8:09 am
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By Mark Taylor
The Roanoke Times
Smith Mountain Lake's stripers are among the many sport fish affected by recent sweeping fish consumption advisories issued by Virginia's Department of Health.
The new advisories cover other important sport fish species across the region and state, including largemouth bass and catfish at Smith Mountain Lake, smallmouth bass at Claytor Lake, smallmouth bass in sections of the Roanoke and New rivers, and anadromous striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay and its ributaries.
With a few exceptions, health officials warn that people should eat no more than two meals per month of fish included in the advisories. Young children and pregnant women are advised to avoid the fish altogether.
The changes reflect more stringent standards, not an increase in the level of PCBs in the fish. Virginia officials wanted to bring the state's advisories in line with those in Maryland and North Carolina.