Earlier this year it looked like the state of Washington was well on its way to improving our state’s incredibly low fish consumption rate. The rate is an important part of setting water quality standards here. But, this summer, the state Department of Ecology changed how they’re approaching the standard, in effect slowing down the process. Said one state official, “There’s not going to be a proposed rate anywhere, any time soon.”
Today, the The House Environment committee will meet to discuss the fish consumption rate. You can read their agenda here and you should be able to watch the hearing here.
You can find out more information on the Fish Consumption Rate at Keep Our Seafood Clean.
Here’s how the current rate stacks up in terms of real seafood.
Here’s some more reading and watching on the fish consumption rate.
Here is a printable piece with more information on increasing the rate.
Stillaguamish tribal chairman Shawn Yanity explains why the rate is important to him and his tribe:
However, Washington is one of nine states with the lowest fish consumption rate in the country, even though our residents are among the biggest consumers of fish. The current fish consumption rate of about 8 ounces per month was developed decades ago, is no longer accurate and does not adequately protect public health. That is why the state is considering increasing the rate to be more reflective of just how much fish and shellfish we all are eating. The new consumption standard will help reduce levels of more than 100 pollutants that can hurt human health.
