Dietary advice for fish caught in Botany Bay and Georges River

The advice will help recreational fishers who regularly catch and eat Dusky Flathead, Sea Mullet, Mulloway, Luderick, Silver Trevally, Arripis Trutta (Australian Salmon), Estuary Perch and Tailor from Botany Bay and the lower Georges River to safely manage their personal intake of these fish.

For information about other fishing advice or restrictions in the river, please see the Department of Primary Industries Fishing website at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/closures/location-closures/botany-bay-and-georges-river.

For more information on the state-wide PFAS investigation program call the Environment Line on 131 555 or visit www.epa.nsw.gov.au/MediaInformation/pfasinvestigation.htm.

* Per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals that include perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS). As they have heat, water and stain repelling properties, PFAS have been widely used in a range of industrial and consumer products both in Australia and internationally, including in fire retardants, water proofing, food preparation, food packaging, furnishings, clothing and recreational equipment. There is no consistent evidence of any human health effects related to PFAS exposure. However, based on the evidence from animal studies potential adverse health effects cannot be ruled out. The NSW Government is therefore taking a precautionary approach to investigating PFAS and providing advice to the community.

Dietary Advice

These tables list the number of serves of a single species that can be eaten each week to limit PFAS exposure to half of the health-based guideline value.

It is important to note that species-specific information is for when a single species of fish is eaten per week. Eating multiple species would result in a greater exposure.

The waters remain open to fishing and fishers can still take fish within bag and size limits – noting the dietary advice provided – or they can instead catch and release.

Note that existing advisories and restrictions are in place for other areas of Georges River and Botany Bay, and can be found at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/closures/location-closures/botany-bay-and-georges-river.

The following advice in Table 1 relates specifically to PFAS detections in species caught by recreational fishers in the Georges River between Rabaul Road Boat Ramp and the Princes Highway (Tom Ugly’s) Bridge.

Table 1

Maximum recommended weekly intake for species caught in the Georges River between Rabaul Road Boat Ramp and the Princes Highway (Tom Ugly’s) Bridge by recreational fishers for PFAS exposure

*Adult Serving size = 150 grams; Children Serving Size = 75 grams.

# Concentrations of PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS were below the adopted trigger values in the samples analysed. No dietary advice is required based on the reported PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS concentrations

Note:

• Consumption of offal in all species listed should be avoided.
• This advice is if one single species is eaten. Eating multiple species would result in a greater exposure. For example:
  • for a child eating fish caught in the Georges River between Rabaul Road Boat Ramp and the Princes Highway - 1 serve of either Dusky Flathead, Mulloway, Silver Trevally or Estuary Perch and 1 serve of any other species listed in the table in one week would exceed the recommended PFAS intake.
  • for an adult, eating 2 serves of Sea Mullet and 1 serve of Silver Trevally in one week would not exceed the recommended PFAS intake via fish sources.
• Sand Whiting and Yellowfin Bream were also sampled and tested from this region, but no dietary advice is necessary for these species. Farmed oysters are also safe to eat.
• General fish and seafood consumption advice states that people should eat 2-3 serves of fish and seafood each week as part of a balanced diet.
• Independent of the site-specific advice related to PFAS above, pregnant women and women planning pregnancy should see the following fish consumption advice published by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) relating to mercury at foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/chemicals/mercury/Pages/default.aspx.

The following advice in Table 2 relates specifically to PFAS detections in species caught by recreational fishers in Botany Bay, and the Georges River downstream of the Princes Highway (Tom Ugly’s) Bridge.

Table 2

 Maximum recommended weekly intake for species caught in Botany Bay, and the Georges River downstream of the Princes Highway (Tom Ugly’s) Bridge by recreational fishers for PFAS exposure

* Adult Serving size = 150 grams; Children Serving Size = 75 grams.

# Concentrations of PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS were below the adopted trigger values in the samples analysed. No dietary advice is required based on the reported PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS concentrations

** Arripis Trutta (Australian Salmon) - Due to the elevated concentrations of PFAS compounds reported in Arripis Trutta caught in Botany Bay, the NSW PFAS Taskforce suggests that this species is catch and release only as a precautionary measure. However, should individuals wish to consume this species caught in Botany Bay, it is recommended that children (aged 2 to 6 years old) limit themselves to one serve per fortnight, and all other age groups limit themselves to two serves per fortnight. 

Note:

• Consumption of offal in all species should be avoided.
• This advice is if one single species is eaten. Eating multiple species would result in a greater exposure. For example:
  • for a child eating fish caught in Botany Bay, downstream of the Princes Highway - eating 1/2 serve of Australian salmon and 1 serve of any other species listed in the table in one week would exceed the recommended PFAS intake.
  • for an adult eating fish caught in the same area, eating 1 serve of mulloway, 1 serve of silver trevally and 1 serve of estuary perch in one week would not exceed the recommended PFAS intake via fish sources.
• Blue Groper, Red Morwong, Sand Whiting, Yellowfin Leatherjacket, Yellowfin Bream, Blue Swimmer Crab, Sydney Rock Oyster, Pacific Oyster, and Squid were also sampled and tested from this region, but no dietary advice is necessary for these species. Farmed oysters are also safe to eat.
• General fish and seafood consumption advice states that people should eat 2-3 serves of fish and seafood each week as part of a balanced diet.
• Independent of the site-specific advice related to PFAS above, pregnant women and women planning pregnancy should see the following fish consumption advice published by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) relating to mercury foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/chemicals/mercury/Pages/default.aspx.