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NEWS RELEASE
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado
For Immediate Release Contact: Thomas Whetten, Arizona Game & Fish Dept. (520) 628-5376
Patrick Gibbons, Arizona Dept. of Environmental Quality (602) 207-2215
Gail Aschenbrenner, Forest Service (520) 670-4529
Parker Canyon Lake Fish Consumption Advisory Posted
TUCSON, AZ (December 2, 2002)-- The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Arizona Game and Fish Department have issued an advisory recommending that consumers limit consumption of fish caught from Parker Canyon Lake, located in the Coronado National Forest in Cochise County at the southeast end of the Canelo Hills.
The advisory recommends that people limit their consumption of fish as follows:
· Children under the age of six: No consumption.
· Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers and children under the age of 16: No consumption.
· Women who do not fall into this category should consult their health care provider before consuming wild caught fish.
· Adult men (16 years or older): Three 8 oz. (uncooked weight) fish meals per month.
The advisory resulted from the recent discovery of mercury in fish caught from the lake. State officials were quick to point out that this advisory does not limit recreational use of Parker Canyon Lake for fishing, bird watching, swimming or other types of recreational uses. Trout stocked in this lake for winter fishing by the Arizona Game and Fish Department are not affected by this advisory. Similar advisories issued in past years for Pena Blanca Lake and Arivaca Lake remain in effect.
While officials continue testing to identify possible sources of the mercury, they say it likely accumulated over time in larger fish, which absorb small amounts of mercury by eating other fish and insects. No mercury has been detected in the lake water.
Officials say they have taken a very conservative approach to assessing the risks associated with eating fish from the lake. Those considered most at risk to possible health effects from exposure to mercury would include babies and unborn children whose mothers consume fish containing mercury during pregnancy or while nursing. Officials have begun a public information advisory campaign in English and Spanish in the Parker Canyon Lake area and statewide. They were unable to say at this point how long the advisory would remain in effect. Specific questions about health effects from mercury should be directed to the Arizona Department of Health Services at (800) 367-6412.
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