# Pollution concerns - who would know if it is safe to eat fish caught in my area?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pollution-concerns-who-would-know-if-it-is-safe-to-eat-fish-caught-in-my-area/758167>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 23, 2016, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pollution-concerns-who-would-know-if-it-is-safe-to-eat-fish-caught-in-my-area/758167 "2016-06-23T17:24:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Ornery\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pollution-concerns-who-would-know-if-it-is-safe-to-eat-fish-caught-in-my-area/758167/1 "2016-06-23T17:24:01Z")

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Long Beach, CA - fishing is allowed from the shore in areas south of the actual port, so these are places open to the sea and not part of any harbor, but they are just south of the Los Angeles River outfall, an obvious source of pollution.

So is there a governmental agency that tests these fish for safety? Is it a valid concern?

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**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pollution-concerns-who-would-know-if-it-is-safe-to-eat-fish-caught-in-my-area/758167/2 "2016-06-23T17:32:59Z")

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The [California Department of Fish and Wildlife](https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/) is probably a good place to start.

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**Author:** ![donkeyoatey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@donkeyoatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donkeyoatey)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pollution-concerns-who-would-know-if-it-is-safe-to-eat-fish-caught-in-my-area/758167/3 "2016-06-23T18:20:29Z")

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[The Fish Contamination Education Collaborative (FCEC)](http://pvsfish.org/index.php/home) monitors fish in the area.

> [@](#):
>
> DO NOT EAT: White Croaker, Barracuda, Black Croaker, Barred Sand Bass and Topsmelt because of DDT, PCB and mercury contamination
> 
> SAFE FISH TO EAT:  
> 1 Serving Per Week (skinless fillet): California Halibut, California Scorpionfish (Sculpin), Kelp Bass, Sardines, Sargo, Shovelnose Guitarfish, Rockfishes  
> 2 Servings Per Week (skinless fillet): Corbina, Pacific Chub Mackerel, Queenfish, Opaleye, Surfperches and Yellowfin Croaker  
> 4 Servings Per Week (skinless fillet): Jacksmelt

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**Author:** ![Ornery\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pollution-concerns-who-would-know-if-it-is-safe-to-eat-fish-caught-in-my-area/758167/4 "2016-06-23T22:10:50Z")

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Thanks! Looks like I’m firmly in the “Red Zone.” Sigh.