Tennessee Extends Mercury Advisory for Nolichucky Fish

On Jan. 8, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation extended an existing precautionary fish consumption advisory on the Nolichucky River from Douglas Lake to the North Carolina line.

The extended advisory pertains to mercury levels in channel catfish and smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass. Sensitive populations including pregnant women, nursing mothers, children and people who frequently eat fish from the same body of water should avoid eating Nolichucky fish altogether. TDEC advises others to consume no more than one fish per month. The warning does not affect other activities like boating or swimming. — By Meredith Alling