Thread: wateree

A good policy is to eat small fish. Large fish like catfish are very long lived and reside at the top of the food chain even though they do have scavenger habits they are also top line predators. Big fish tend to accumulate toxins particularly heavy metals. As for the advisories, it really depends on which state biologist you talk to. NC states fish below and south of I-85 have demonstrated elevated levels of Hg (mercury). I talked with a lady biologist in Raliegh office NCWMRC about this very subject in 2005. Their reports conflict with what SC puts out. I personally feel safe to eat the small fish because they haven't been in the water as long. Catfish can live a long time. Crappies have no advisory. Crappie have a very short lifespan. Largemouth bass are also long lived and are predators. They are named as a fish NOT to eat in several areas.

I have lived here for 47 yrs,Eat the darn fish!...Just dont eat them everyday.Trust that.