Eating NJ Fish - Health Hazard?

[HOokiN]

Hey guys,

Need some opinions/advice here. I don't really know if its safe to eat anything that I catch anymore. Everything seems so polluted.  I know bass are migratory fish but are they healthy to eat? I know they have mercury levels in them but im more concerned about other toxins. Fluke / Sea Bass? What about clams/muscles or crabs? Bottom dwellers have to be worse.
Big part of the reason why I am out there is to fill the freezer. If I should't eat the fish because it could be a potential hazard to my health, that would really suck!
Hope anyone who got banged by Sandy is over the hump! Hopefully putting in the boat in the next few weeks. ( have 2 electric lifts to fix because they were shorted out from the storm ) 

tight lines!

Thank you!

James

[wb]

I think if you use common sense and follow the consumption guidelines published by the state you should be OK.

Clicky Here

[HOokiN]

Thank you!

[FishOn]

If you drink, smoke, eat foreign fruit, or drive in NJ rush hour traffic I wouldn't be terribly concerned about anything the fish pick up. I wouldn't go eating clams or crabs from the North jersey/ny waterways buts that's because I think they would taste like toxins.

[KyleFishes]

I think the state fishing handbook gives consumption guidelines...

[Hunter 2]

Quick Story:

A lawyer friend of mine loves to fish and caught a bunch of Stripers. He liked the taste so much that he was eating it everyday.  Lunch, dinner .
  After a regular visit to the doctor he was told his Mercury levels were highly elevated by eating too much Striped bass. The doctor had to put him on medication to lower the mercury levels and it took over 6 months. Now he eats it in moderation and everything's  back to normal.

[Wreckfish]

 Like the beef, chicken, and pork you get from the markets aren't filled with antibiotics, steriods, bacteria, madcow virus............... 
Eating a few fish in moderation isn't such a bad this.