BATON ROUGE, La. ( Louisiana First ) — Fish consumption advisories have been issued for seven waterways in Louisiana.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality issued the advisory following the results from recent fish tissue sampling, which showed "mercury at levels that warranted new or updated recommendations," according to the Louisiana Department of Health.
Five existing advisories were updated, and two new ones were issued, bringing the total fish consumption advisories for mercury in freshwater areas to 52.
Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new advisories are for Mermentau River and Lake Arthur and Vermillion River and Bayou Tortue . Boeuf River , Lake Bistineau , Pearl River , Tew Lake , and Bayou De Loutre and associated lakes received updated advisories.
LDH said there is also an advisory for certain offshore species in the Gulf.
If someone eats fish with high levels of mercury in it over a lengthy amount of time, it could affect the person's nervous system and brain.
" Developing fetuses and children under age 7 are particularly sensitive because their nervous systems are still developin...