Enjoy a great day of fishing and follow this “Eat Safe Fish” guide
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EmailThe Michigan State University Sea Grant program along with the Michigan Department of Community Health advises consumers to eat safe fish, providing a helpful guide for consumers.
The spring weather has brought out many sports enthusiasts that are ready to fish in Michigan lakes and streams. The progression into summer will find even more enjoying the sport of fishing and eating their “catch.”
Fish can be part of a healthy diet. Major sources of omega-3 fatty acids, sources of vitamin D and selenium are found in fish. There has been some evidence that eating two fish meals a week can aid in heart health. However, some caution should be used to balance out the risks found in pollutants in fish.
The Michigan State University Sea Grant program partners with the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) to help advise consumers to eat safe fish. MDCH has developed a handy guide that consumers can use.
The MDCH professionals and Michigan State University Extension recommend taking the following steps to reduce your risk of eating contaminated fish by carefully trimming and cooking fish.
- Trimming and cooking off the fat can remove up to half the chemicals. A fish may carry.
- Choose smaller, younger fish that are lower in chemical contamination.
- Instead of catching and eating catfish or carp, try bluegill, perch, walleye, rock bass and black crappie.
- Fish in less contaminated waters.
- Most chemicals are stored in the fat, except for mercury. Mercury cannot be removed from fish.
The Eat Safe Fish in Michigan guide can help you and your family to eat healthy, fresh fish from the Great Lake state of Michigan. This guide recommends learning the three C’s: Choose, clean and cook. Learn how to choose fish that are safe to eat, use the recommended procedure for cleaning fish to minimize chemical and pollutant consumption and cook fish properly to remove even more contaminants, except mercury.
Following the guidelines will support your family’s health, while they enjoy the great outdoors and sport of fishing along with a healthy protein choice of fish.
