Per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been detected in some species of fish caught in the Shoalhaven River.
Residents can continue to fish in the Shoalhaven River but should follow precautionary dietary advice when eating their catch. This precautionary advice was amended in August 2018, after further sampling was conducted, to include advice for children under 6 years old who consume more than five serves of Mulloway per week.
A detailed factsheet outlining the precautionary dietary advice can be found below.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority is investigating the source of PFAS contamination in the Shoalhaven River, and will continue to update the local commercial and recreational fishing communities.
For more information see:
Sampling results
Following the alleged discharge of up to 100,000 litres of PFAS contaminated waste water into the Shoalhaven sewer system and the Shoalhaven River in March 2019, the EPA, as a precaution, obtained additional water samples at five locations in and surrounding the Shoalhaven River on 30 May 2019. See map (JPG 333KB)
The additional water sample results were found to be under the National drinking water and recreational water guidelines and have been reviewed by the NSW PFAS Taskforce which has advised that no new or additional precautionary dietary advice is required for the area, based on the results.
The NSW PFAS Taskforce has confirmed that the precautionary dietary advice for the Shoalhaven River issued in October 2018 is still appropriate. There is no change to current advice for commercial and recreational fishers.
Water sample results – Shoalhaven River catchment 30 May 2019
|
National Human Health criteria |
EPA Sample results – Shoalhaven River catchment |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
All units µg/l |
Drinking water |
Recreational Water |
SW01 |
SW02 |
SW03 |
SW04 |
SW05 |
|
PFOS+PFHxS |
0.07 |
0.7 |
<0.02 |
<0.02 |
0.03 |
0.06 |
<0.02 |
|
PFOA |
0.56 |
5.6 |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
Summary - Precautionary dietary advice for consumption of fish from the Shoalhaven River:
Commercial fishers can continue to sell fish they catch in the Shoalhaven River and this fishery remains open.
- Recreational fishers who regularly catch and eat their own fish in the Shoalhaven River can continue to do so safely but should follow the dietary advice for consumption of Luderick, Sea Mullet, Sand Whiting, Dusky Flathead, Silverbiddy and Mulloway from the identified area, to limit their personal intake.
- Oysters are not impacted and are safe to eat.