Mercury advisory issued for fish in Cocke, Hamblen Counties

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- A mercury advisory has been issued for fish consumption in Cocke and Hamblen Counties.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation in August 2018 issued a precautionary advisory for consumption of smallmouth bass and channel catfish in downstream portions of the Nolichucky River in Cocke and Hamblen Counties.

The advisory also applies to the downstream portion of the Pigeon River in Cocke County.

The advisory was issued after mercury levels exceeding the recommended limits was found in fish in the area.

“Because eating fish with elevated levels of mercury is a risk Tennesseans can avoid, we provide this information so that the fishing community can make informed choices about whether or not to consume the fish they catch,”

said Jennifer Dodd, director of TDEC’s Division of Water Resources, in a news release.

The advisory recommends that pregnant or nursing mothers and children avoid eating the aforementioned fish species, while others should limit their consumption to one meal per month.