Is it safe to eat chesapeake rockfish?
On One Hand: Rockfish Do Have ContaminantsRockfish, or striped bass, have been the subject of various advisories in recent years. In 2006, concern about bacterial illness in bay fish prompted the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to advise eating only thoroughly cooked rockfish and to avoid fish with obvious sores. The levels of mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, in Chesapeake rockfish have also spurred warnings to consumers.On the Other: Consumers Can Minimize RiskSmaller rockfish–no more than 28 inches long–have accumulated fewer contaminants in their tissues and are therefore safer to eat, says the Maryland Department of the Environment. The department recommends eating only fillets and removing the skin and the fat, where more PCBs are found. Grill the fish or cook it using a rack to allow fat to drip off.Bottom LineIn moderation, rockfish are safe to eat.
