Fishing is a popular pastime in the Hudson Valley, with some consuming fish from the Hudson River as a primary or secondary source of protein. Due to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in the sediment, water, and fish of the Hudson River, the New York State Department of Health maintains fish consumption advisories to help those considering eating fish from the river make informed choices on who can safely eat what fish, from where, and in what quantities and frequencies, and provides tips on how to clean and cook fish to reduce PCB exposure.

Q:  Can you eat the fish from the Hudson River?

A: It depends on who you are, where you fish, and what you catch.
People who may become pregnant (under 50 years old) and children (under 15) should not eat any fish or crabs from the Hudson River between the South Glens Falls Dam in Warren County to the Rip Van Winkle Bridge in Catskill. Fish in these Hudson River sections contain higher levels of PCBs, which can be more harmful to young children and unborn babies. Consumption for everyone else depends on where on the river you are fishing and what type of fish you catch. Explore the NYSDOH’s health advice on eating Hudson River fish.

Consuming & Preparing Hudson River Fish

Within the NYSDOH Fish Consumption Advisory, one serving, or one fish meal, is one eight-ounce fillet. So if the guidance for the General Population in the Lower Hudson (Rip Van Winkle Bridge to the Battery in NYC) is 4 fish meals per month, that’s 4 8-oz fillets per month.

PCB consumption can be reduced when eating Hudson River fish by “cutting the fat to cut PCBs” by removing the skin, belly fat, back fat, and dark areas on the sides before cooking, and disposing of any juices released during the cooking process.

For more information and advice on eating fish in the Hudson Valley or other regions of New York State, visit: www.health.ny.gov/fish