South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

We promote and protect the health of the public and the environment.

• Fish Advisories Home
• Advisories
• Advisory Booklet
• Order a Free Booklet
• Are You at a Greater Risk?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Detailed Map
• Mercury vs. PCBs
• Common Fish in SC
• Brochures
• Radio PSAs
• Changes in Advisories from the previous year
• 2007 Survey Results
• Take Our Short Survey
• Making Sense of Mercury
• FDA's Seafood Advice
• EPA's National Fish Advisory Database
• Fish Advisories for other States
• Fishing games for Kids & Parents

The Fish Consumption Advisory Program

 

How does DHEC determine if a waterbody should have a Fish Consumption Advisory?

• DHEC tests fish from lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries, and offshore waters all over South Carolina.
• All samples are tested for certain chemicals to see if the fish are contaminated.

• DHEC analyzes the data and then issues fish consumption advisories where contaminated fish are found.

• Note: Some saltwater fish samples are collected by both DHEC and DNR.

What standard does DHEC use when issuing mercury advisories for fish consumption?

Fish Tissue Mercury Levels	Advisory
0-0.24 ppm	No Restrictions
0.25-0.66 ppm	1 Meal a Week
0.67-0.99 ppm	1 Meal a Month
>= 1.0 ppm	Do Not Eat Any

Note:

• This standard does not apply to those in the high risk group: babies, children under 14, and women who are pregnant, nursing, or in childbearing years.
• Click here to learn about DHEC's recommendations for those at high risk.

 

The Advisory Process

 

(From collection of fish to informing the public about the advisories)

 

Outreach to the Public

 

• Fish Consumption Advisory Booklet

• Updated and mailed out statewide every year
• To order a free advisory booklet, click here for more information.

• Fish Consumption Advisory Website
  ( www.scdhec.gov/fish )
• Updated every year

• Fish Consumption Advisory Information Line
  (1-888-849-7241)

• DHEC maintains a toll-free information line for the Fish Consumption Advisory program.

• The toll-free number is usually directed into a message box where your call will be returned as soon as possible during normal working hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm).

• You can call with one or more of the following issues:
• To ask a question concerning the fish consumption advisories
• To report a sign missing at one of the public boat landings
• To make a comment or suggestion concerning the fish advisory program

• Presentations to the public

• Run radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
• Click here to hear PSA 1
• Click here to hear PSA 2

• Facts about Mercury in Fish Brochure

• Updated and mailed out statewide every year
• Also available in Spanish, Realidades de mercurio en el pescado

• Give away educational items at events

 

Interesting Facts about the Program

 

• In 2007, approximately 60,000 booklets and brochures were mailed out.
• All SC DHEC Environmental & Health offices
• All SC DNR offices
• All OBGYN offices
• All county, state, and federal health departments and clinics
• All known mid-wives
• Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program
• SC State Parks
• Catawba Indian Reservation
• Congaree National Park
• Biedler National Forest
• SC DNR Wildlife Rules and Regulations (notice only)
• Sportsman’s Warehouse (Columbia)
• Bass Pro Shops (Myrtle Beach)
• National Hunting & Fishing Day, Sept. 22, 2007 (DNR Cooperation)
• Freshwater Marinas (DNR Cooperation)
• Over 100 coastal vendors (DNR Cooperation)

• The number of booklets and brochures mailed out each year continues to increase.

• Fish are collected and analyzed each year from:
• Major rivers and streams
• Major lakes and reservoirs
• Estuarine and off-shore species

• SC DHEC has issued fish consumption advisories since 1976.

• In 2008, 2 waterbodies were removed from the advisory list.
• Black River Reservoir
• Goose Creek Reservoir