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06-22-2004, 06:30 PM
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Friday, June 18, 2004
D'Arcy Egan
Plain Dealer Outdoors Writer
Lake Erie's yellow perch and walleyes are a double treat. They are tasty and healthy to eat.
That is the message of Ohio's fisheries experts, who manage and test Ohio-caught fish. Environmentalists fighting pollution have twisted a fish consumption advisory to fit their agenda, warning people not to eat any Ohio-caught fish.
Their reason is mercury pollution, a product of coal-fired power plants.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration, however, have teamed for the first time to recommend people enjoy healthy meals of Ohio fish. Fish is an important part of a balanced diet, according to Lester M. Crawford, acting commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The mission of halting mercury pollution is a noble one. Taking up the cause are the National Wildlife Federation and the Ohio Wildlife Federation, the latter an arm of the League of Ohio Sportsmen. Jumping into the fray has been the National Resource Defense Council, which wants to add to its 550,000 members.
When they warn Ohio fish are not safe to eat, they're wrong.
Still, there is a warning to be heeded.
Women of child-bearing age and children under 6 should eat an average of one meal a week of most Ohio-caught fish. The trace amounts of mercury, measured in parts per billion, could build up and cause defects in an unborn child or a young person.
That message isn't being carried by the NRDC. Director, Dr. Linda Greer, sent this message last week: "As Ohio fishing enthusiasts cast their lines for bass, catfish and mackerel, you should warn your readers that they can't eat the fish they catch - and remind them why: mercury contamination from industrial pollution."
Mackerel? Perhaps mackerel do contain more mercury than other species, but Ohioans would have to head to the seashore to catch this saltwater game fish.
The pier fishermen in Cleveland Harbor deserve a tasty, healthy perch dinner. They don't need to be frightened by Washington crusaders who may have good intentions, but don't know a white bass from a wahoo.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
degan@plaind.com, 216-999-6136
© 2004 The Plain Dealer. Used with permission.
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http://www.cleveland.com/outdoors/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1087551390100072.xml
Friday, June 18, 2004
D'Arcy Egan
Plain Dealer Outdoors Writer
Lake Erie's yellow perch and walleyes are a double treat. They are tasty and healthy to eat.
That is the message of Ohio's fisheries experts, who manage and test Ohio-caught fish. Environmentalists fighting pollution have twisted a fish consumption advisory to fit their agenda, warning people not to eat any Ohio-caught fish.
Their reason is mercury pollution, a product of coal-fired power plants.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration, however, have teamed for the first time to recommend people enjoy healthy meals of Ohio fish. Fish is an important part of a balanced diet, according to Lester M. Crawford, acting commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The mission of halting mercury pollution is a noble one. Taking up the cause are the National Wildlife Federation and the Ohio Wildlife Federation, the latter an arm of the League of Ohio Sportsmen. Jumping into the fray has been the National Resource Defense Council, which wants to add to its 550,000 members.
When they warn Ohio fish are not safe to eat, they're wrong.
Still, there is a warning to be heeded.
Women of child-bearing age and children under 6 should eat an average of one meal a week of most Ohio-caught fish. The trace amounts of mercury, measured in parts per billion, could build up and cause defects in an unborn child or a young person.
That message isn't being carried by the NRDC. Director, Dr. Linda Greer, sent this message last week: "As Ohio fishing enthusiasts cast their lines for bass, catfish and mackerel, you should warn your readers that they can't eat the fish they catch - and remind them why: mercury contamination from industrial pollution."
Mackerel? Perhaps mackerel do contain more mercury than other species, but Ohioans would have to head to the seashore to catch this saltwater game fish.
The pier fishermen in Cleveland Harbor deserve a tasty, healthy perch dinner. They don't need to be frightened by Washington crusaders who may have good intentions, but don't know a white bass from a wahoo.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
degan@plaind.com, 216-999-6136
© 2004 The Plain Dealer. Used with permission.
Print This
E-mail This
http://www.cleveland.com/outdoors/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1087551390100072.xml