DNR asks anglers near Bay of Green Bay to avoid eating rock bass more than once a week due to 'forever chemical' contamination

The Department of Natural Resources is asking anglers to limit their consumption of rock bass caught in the Bay of Green Bay and some of its tributaries, after the fish were found to have high levels of "forever chemicals" in their bodies. 

The department said in a Tuesday release that rock bass should not be consumed more than once a week, if harvested from the Bay or any of its tributaries, including the Peshtigo, Oconto and Menominee Rivers. 

Low levels of PFAS were found within other species of fish in the rivers, but results were not high enough to warrant any other advisories. 

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a family of man-made chemicals used for their water- and stain-resistant qualities in products like clothing and carpet, nonstick cookware, packaging and firefighting foam. The family includes 5,000 compounds, which are persistent, remaining both in the environment and human body over time.

PFAS have been linked to types of kidney and testicular cancers, lower birth weights, harm to immune and reproductive systems, and altered hormone regulation and thyroid hormones.

More:What are PFAS? Here's what you need to know about the emerging contaminant group known as 'forever chemicals'

PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), one of the most well-researched in the family of compounds, was the compound found to be elevated within the fish from the bay and its tributaries. 

Consumption advisories due to PFAS contamination have been issued across the state.

In August, the department issued advisories for yellow perch and crappies harvested from the Pentenwell Flowage, asking anglers not to consume the fish more than once a week. An existing advisory also cautioned against consuming white bass more than once a month, due to high levels of PCBs, as well as high levels of PFAS. 

In June, the department issued advisories for Starkweather Creek, Lake Monona, Wingra Creek, Lake Waubesa, Upper and Lower Mud Lakes, Lake Kegonsa and the downstream portion of the Yahara River to where it meets the Rock River in Madison for several different species of fish, due to PFAS contamination that is believed to have come from the city's airport.

In 2020, an advisory for Lake Superior, recommending that anglers and fish fry fans do not consume rainbow smelt more than once a month after tests revealed they were accumulating the chemicals in their tissue. 

And near Marinette and Peshtigo, one of the worst PFAS contamination sites in the state, anglers have been warned against eating fish harvested from several ponds near the Tyco Fire Products facility, as well as the livers of deer harvested in the area. 

Though the DNR has warned those who enjoy eating the fish they catch to be cautious about how much they consume from certain locations, it's still one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids and lean protein. 

Those concerned about their consumption of self-harvested fish are encouraged to track how much fish they eat going forward and see their doctor if they have concerns. 

Fish consumption advisories have been issued across the state for a number of harmful contaminants. For more information, visit dnr.wisconsin.gov.

Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on Twitter at @SchulteLaura.