Laws, Regulations, Standards, and Guidelines
Few laws, regulations and standards exist for the safety of eating fish and shellfish. Consumption advisories and guidelines are available from a number of state and federal agencies.
- Water Quality Standards to Protect Fish and Shellfish Consumption Uses
The Water Quality Control Plans of the State Water Resources Control Board and the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards include standards to protect the following fish consumption related beneficial uses: Water Contact Recreation (REC-1), Commercial & Sport Fishing (COMM), Shellfish Harvesting (SHELL), Subsistence Fishing (FISH), Aquaculture (AQUA), and Native American Culture (CUL). These standards vary from place to place.
- California Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)
- Sport Fish Consumption Advisories by Location -
For a number of California water bodies, OEHHA publishes consumption advisories for noncommercial fish that you, your family or friends catch,
based on balancing the benefits of eating fish with the potential for them to contain toxic chemicals.
- Fish Contaminant Goals and Advisory Tissue Levels for Common Contaminants in California Sport Fish - For a number of tissue contaminants, OEHHA establishes acceptable toxicity values for potential cancer and non-cancer effects. Fish contaminant goals provide a starting point to assist other agencies in their efforts to develop fish tissue-based criteria with a goal toward pollution mitigation or elimination.
- General Lake and Reservoir Advisory (waterways without site-specific advice)
- General Consumption Advice for American Shad, Chinook Salmon, Steelhead Trout, Striped Bass and White Sturgeon
- General Health Advisory for Catching and Eating Sport Fish in California
- Sport Fish Consumption Advisories by Location -
For a number of California water bodies, OEHHA publishes consumption advisories for noncommercial fish that you, your family or friends catch,
based on balancing the benefits of eating fish with the potential for them to contain toxic chemicals.
- California Department of Public Health
- Fish Consumption Guidelines (for mercury in fish) for women, for children, and for the general public
- Shellfish Warnings & Quarantines for recreational and commercial shellfish harvesting
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Federal Clean Water Act Sections 303(d) and 305(b) - Section 305(b) requires each state to report on the quality condition of its surface waters. Section 303(d) requires each state to develop a list of impaired surface waters that do not meet water quality standards.
- Fish Consumption Advisory Information
- Federal Clean Water Act Sections 303(d) and 305(b) - Section 305(b) requires each state to report on the quality condition of its surface waters. Section 303(d) requires each state to develop a list of impaired surface waters that do not meet water quality standards.
- California Department of Fish and Game Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations
