Fish Consumption Regulations and Recommendations

Since 1979, Massachusetts regulations have prohibited eating fish and/or shellfish caught in certain areas of New Bedford Harbor. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection samples local fish and shellfish every year to determine whether PCB concentrations are declining as a result of cleanup activities around New Bedford Harbor.

U.S. EPA recommends that recreational fishermen, shell fishermen and everyone else follow the Massachusetts regulations. In addition, we recommend limited eating of certain species not covered by the 1979 state regulations.

*Please see below for information on species specific information and recommendations for sensitive groups -- pregnant women, nursing mothers, children under age 12 and women who may become pregnant.

On this page:

Partnering with Mass Dept. of Environmental Protection

As part of the NBH site monitoring, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has conducted annual fish and shellfish sampling to determine whether PCB concentrations in NBH fish and shellfish are declining as a result of cleanup activities. In general, PCB concentrations have indeed decreased from the 1980s to the present in most species, although concerns remain as discussed herein. Fish and shellfish sampling will continue throughout the cleanup efforts, and updates to this fact sheet will be issued as appropriate. Click here to view contaminant monitoring reports for seafood harvested in the New Bedford Harbor Area.

Assessment with Mass Dept. of Public Health

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has also had extensive involvement with NBH in order to address a variety of health concerns. In 1979, MDPH promulgated state regulations prohibiting the consumption of any fish/shellfish in Area 1 of NBH; of bottom feeding fish (eel, scup, flounder, and tautog) or lobster in Area 2; and lobster in Area 3. These early efforts were followed by human epidemiological studies of PCB exposure via fish consumption by MDPH and others. *MDPH has additional advice for sensitive populations (pregnant women, nursing mothers, children under age 12, women who may become pregnant) that can be found at www.mass.gov/lists/fish-consumption-advisories. EPA supports this additional advice, and notes that its updated risk assessment (discussed below) recommends that sensitive populations avoid fish, shellfish and lobster from the three closure areas in NBH except as described below for Area 3.

Recommendations

As part of the Superfund process, EPA is required to conduct risk assessments that will result in cleanup levels that the selected remedy for a given site must meet. These risk assessments use conservative (health-protective) assumptions to ensure that even sensitive populations will not have health concerns following completion of remediation activities. In the case of NBH and the risk assessment conducted on fish/shellfish in the closed areas of the harbor, EPA's updated evaluation indicates that some species not currently covered by the 1979 state regulations may present health concerns for recreational fishermen and shell fishermen (and/or their families/friends who consume their take) if these species are consumed in larger quantities than current epidemiological data suggest. EPA believes it is important that recreational fishermen, shell-fishermen, and the public be aware of EPA’s most recent seafood consumption recommendations.

It is important to recognize the substantial benefits of fish consumption for everyone. Fish is one of the best sources of fatty acids which are helpful in reducing the risk of heart disease. In order to avoid exposure to a harmful level of contaminants, people should choose a variety of fish and shellfish from a variety of sources.

Fact Sheets and Public Documents

New Bedford Harbor

Contact Us About the New Bedford Harbor
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on October 10, 2024