South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

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

• Advisories
• Advisory Booklet
• Order a Free Booklet
• At-Risk Groups
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Detailed Map
• Mercury vs. PCBs
• Common Fish in SC
• Brochures
• Radio PSAs
• Making Sense of Mercury
• FDA's Seafood Advice
• EPA's National Fish Advisory Database
• Fish Advisories for other States
• Fishing games for Kids & Parents

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I eat fish?
What is an advisory?
How does DHEC determine if a waterbody should have an advisory?
Why do we have advisories?
Are Fish Consumption Advisories only in South Carolina?
Why are some fish not safe to eat?
What is a good general rule of thumb to follow?
Who is at risk?
Why are these groups at a greater risk?
What advice should these at-risk groups follow?
What are the main contaminants effecting fish in South Carolina?
What do I need to know about mercury?
What are some health notes for adults?
What do I need to know about PCBs?
What are the health effects of PCBs in my body?
What do I need to know about radioisotopes?
How can I reduce the health risks from contaminated fish?
What do I need to know about shellfish in South Carolina to stay safe?
What about fish that I buy instead of catch?
Does DHEC post signs on waterbodies with Fish Consumption Advisories?
What if a waterbody does not have a sign at the access point?
Where can I get more information?

 

Why should I eat fish?

• It's low in fat & contains omega-3 fatty acids (boosts heart health)
• It's a great source of protein, vitamins, & minerals
• Eating fish regularly can reduce your chances of having a stroke or heart attack.
• To get all the benefits, you should eat fish at least two meals each week, but
  remember to choose the right types of fish to eat.
• NOTE: Breading & frying fish may decrease health benefits

 

What is an advisory?

• The advisory will list a lake, stream, or river in South Carolina.  Then, it will tell you the type of fish and amount of fish that is safe to eat in that area. 
• If a waterbody or type of fish is not listed in the tables, it means that DHEC has not issued any consumption advice.
• Here are the reasons why DHEC may not issue an advisory:
  • The waterbody may not have been sampled.
  • There may not be enough data.
  • The waterbody is privately owned.
• Advisories help you decide:
  • Where to fish
  • Which fish to keep
  • How much fish to eat         
• No Advisories – some lakes, streams, and rivers in South Carolina that have been tested do not have advisories.  Click here to find out which waterbodies have no advisories in South Carolina.
• DON’T FORGET
  You will need a valid South Carolina Fishing license in order to fish in all public lakes, rivers, and streams, including all of the waterbodies listed on this website.
  

 

How does DHEC determine if a waterbody should have an advisory?

• DHEC tests fish from South Carolina's lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries, and offshore waters.
• Some saltwater fish samples are collected by both DHEC and DNR.
• All samples are tested for chemicals to see if any of the fish are contaminated.
• DHEC looks closely at the data and then issues fish consumption advisories where contaminated fish have been found.
• Once a contaminant has been found in a waterbody, DHEC tests additional species.

 

Why do we have advisories?

• DHEC issues advisories to help ensure that the fish you catch are safe to eat.

 

Are fish consumption advisories only in South Carolina?

• South Carolina is not alone. Most states have issued fish consumption advisories. To look at other states’ advisories, go to http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/states.htm.

 

Why are some fish not safe to eat?

What is a good general rule of thumb to follow?

 

Who is at risk?

• Babies
• Children under 14
• Women who are nursing
• Women who are pregnant
• Women who plan to become pregnant

 

Why are these groups at a greater risk?

• Developing bodies, such as infants and small children, are at a greater risk since their brains and nervous systems are still forming.
• The body naturally removes small amounts of contaminants, like mercury.
• These contaminants can build up in our bodies if too much of these contaminants are being consumed.
• Health problems can occur when there are too many harmful contaminants in the body.

 

What advice should these At-Risk groups follow?

• Eat only one meal of freshwater fish each week from a waterbody without an advisory.
• DO NOT eat any fish from waterbodies with an advisory. (www.scdhec.gov/fish).
• DO NOT eat any king mackerel, shark, swordfish, tilefish, or cobia.

 

What are the main contaminants effecting fish in South Carolina?

• Mercury
• PCBs
• Radioisotopes (found in the Savannah River in very small amounts)

 

What do I need to know about mercury?

• Mercury in the environment comes from natural sources and from pollution.
• The largest sources of pollution have been from decades of burning fossil fuel (like coal) and waste.
• Mercury builds up in the tissue or muscle of the fish (part that we eat).
• It can also build up in our tissues when we eat fish contaminated with mercury.
• The risk is only in eating the fish, which means you can still enjoy water activities like swimming, boating, and other recreational activities.
• Our risk from mercury depends on how much and how often we eat certain types of fish.
• Mercury in fish is an issue for the whole nation, not just South Carolina.

 

What Are Some Health Notes For Adults?

• Too much consumption of fish with high levels of mercury may lead to heart disease in adults.
• Health effects of mercury in adults can usually be corrected if a person stops eating fish that contain high levels of mercury.
• If you are concerned about the amount of mercury in your body, see your doctor.

 

What do I need to know about PCBs?

• PCB stands for polychlorinated biphenyls.
• Man-made compounds; banned in 1976
• PCBs were often used as fluids for electrical transformers and products like cutting oils & carbonless copy paper.
• PCBs remain a problem today because they do not break down easily in the environment.
• PCBs build up over time in the fatty parts of the fish.
• PCBs can also build up in our bodies.
• By cleaning or cooking fish to reduce fat, you can reduce the amount of PCBs you eat.
• You should still follow the Fish Consumption Advisories even if you clean and cook the fish the right way.
• Click here to find out how to cook & clean fish to reduce PCBs.

 

What are the health effects of PCBs in my body?

If pregnant women eat fish containing PCBs, their babies may suffer from:

• Lower birth weight
• Smaller infant head size
• Premature births
• Developmental problems and learning disabilities

 

What do I need to know about radioisotopes?

• Radioisotopes are radioactive forms of an element.
• Occur naturally or can be man-made.
• Some fish found in the Savannah River may contain radioisotopes, cesium-137 and strontium-90.
• Levels of radioisotopes found in these fish in South Carolina are low and have decreased over time.
• If you follow the advice for the Savannah River, the added health risk from these elements is very low.

 

How can I reduce the health risks from contaminated fish?

You can reduce the health risks from any type of fish by following these tips:

• Do not eat more fish than the advisory recommends.
• Eat fish from lakes and rivers that do not have advisories.
• Eat the smaller fish and let bigger ones go.
• Eat different types of fish instead of just one type.
• Clean and cook your fish the right way (only helps reduce PCBs).
• Enjoy fishing by catching and releasing the fish instead of eating them.

 

What do I need to know about shellfish in South Carolina to stay safe?

• DHEC regularly tests the salt waters containing shellfish beds for bacteria.
• If health standards are not met, or if conditions have changed to make the shellfish unsafe, DHEC will close the shellfish bed.
• A closed shellfish bed means that it is unsafe to eat and illegal to collect the shellfish in that area.
• Testing ensures that the oysters, clams, and mussels you collect and eat in South Carolina salt waters are safe.

NEED MORE INFO?

• For more information on DHEC Shellfish program, visit at: www.scdhec.gov/shellfish.
• For shellfish closure updates, call 1-800-285-1618.

 

What about fish that I buy instead of catch?

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have issued a national mercury advisory for fish that you buy.
• The advisory includes fresh, frozen, and canned fish that you buy at a store or restaurant.
• EPA and FDA advice for women and children in the at-risk groups:
  • Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, Tilefish, or Cobia.
  • Eat up to 12 ounces (2 avg meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury
  • Check local advisories in your state for fish caught by your family and friends.
  • Follow the same advice when feeding fish and shellfish to young children only serve them a smaller portion.

  NEED MORE INFO about store bought fish?

• Visit FDA’s web site at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm077331.htm
• Or call their toll-free information line at 1-888-SAFEFOOD
• Visit EPA’s web site at: www.epa.gov/ost/fish 

 

Does DHEC post signs on waterbodies with fish consumption advisories?

• Yes, DHEC does post signs on public boat landings that are access points to the waterbody under advisory.

 

What if a waterbody does not have a sign at the access point?

• Here are reasons why there may not be a sign at the access point to a waterbody:
  • There is no advisory
  • The waterbody has not been tested
  • The sign has been vandalized or damaged
• Always refer to DHEC's Fish Consumption Advisory website (www.scdhec.gov/fish) or booklet for the most accurate information on whether a waterbody is under advisory.

 

Where can I get more information?

• For SC Fish Consumption Advisory web site, go to www.scdhec.gov/fish
• You can also call DHEC’s toll-free number at 1-888-849-7241
• To learn more about mercury, visit www.scdhec.gov/mercury
• For more information on fishing and SC’s Rules and Regulations for fishing & boating, visit DNR’s web site at www.dnr.sc.gov
• Visit http://screelkids.dnr.sc.gov/ for information on a free fishing program for kids.