Fish Consumption Advisories in the Spokane Watershed – What You Need to Know

The Washington State Department of Health issues advice about eating fish from specific water bodies when chemicals found in certain fish species may harm the public’s health. As the lead toxicologist for the state’s fish advisory program, David McBride evaluates data collected by other agencies and determines whether contaminants found in fish are harmful when consumed.

Fishing opportunities in the Spokane River abound, and many groups are working to protect water quality and promote fishing.  At the same time, the Spokane River has serious pollution issues from industrial, municipal, and storm water discharges that have transferred into fish and their tissue.  One of the results of this pollution is that some fish species are unsafe to eat, and/or the public should only consume limited amounts of certain species.

Learn more here.