Do the test results mean that PFBC hatchery trout are somehow unsafe?
Not at all. PFBC-stocked trout are safe to catch, safe to handle and safe to eat in moderation, using consumption advisories to guide consumption levels. Q. Why do Commonwealth agencies tell consumers that they should limit consumption of stocked fish when most stocked fish have levels of PCBs well below levels where any consumption advice is warranted? All recreationally-caught sportfish are subject to a one-meal per week statewide consumption advisory, and this includes state-stocked trout. Consumption statements are based upon the best available information. It is prudent to err on the side of caution and provide information to anglers based on the best available information at the time we receive it. Commonwealth agencies do not want to unduly alarm people. We don’t want to discourage participation in angling, which is a safe and wholesome sport. We don’t want to discourage consumption of fish, which is a valuable component of a healthy diet. At the same time, we recognize that PCB
