The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) issued a precautionary fish consumption advisory Monday for bass and crappie species in Springville Bottom because of high levels of mercury revealed in sampling data. Springville Bottom is a waterfowl management area adjacent to the Big Sandy embayment.
TDEC has also scheduled a public meeting for Tuesday night at the Henry County Fairgrounds to discuss the advisory.
“Children and nursing or pregnant mothers should avoid eating crappie or bass from Springville Bottom in any amount, and everyone else should limit consumption to one meal per month,” TDEC Deputy Commissioner Shari Meghreblian said. “Catch and release fishing, boating, swimming, or drinking treated water in this area poses no additional risk.”
Other fish species tested for mercury in Springville Bottom included redear sunfish (shellcrackers) and bluegill. Although the documented levels in both redear sunfish and bluegill in this area were high compared to other areas in the state, average concentrations of mercury were below the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s trigger point, thus not included in the advisory.
