Event set on eating safer fish from Cape Fear River

A community event to promote ways to reduce health risk from eating fish caught in the Cape Fear River is set for this weekend.

“Go Fish! Eating Safer from the Cape Fear River” is scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. March 27 at New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington.

The event is part of Cape Fear River Fish Consumption Month and the Stop Check Enjoy! outreach campaign, which was created to help people avoid contaminants by choosing to eat safer types of fish. Cape Fear River Watch, Duke University Superfund Research Center, North Carolina State Cooperative Extension and the North Carolina Coastal Federation, as well as other community partners organized the event.

There will be community speakers and outreach activities, lawn games, activities for children, Poor Piggys BBQ and T’Geaux Boys food trucks, and no-cost COVID-19 vaccines.

Related: Fish study’s findings trigger consumption advisory update

While many fish from the river because it is culturally important and provides a low-cost source of protein, Cape Fear River is listed as an impaired waterway by the Environmental Protection Agency and fish from the river may contain chemical contaminants that can cause harm to the health of those who eat them, particularly children, according to the EPA.

“The purpose of the event and the month as a whole is to educate the public about ways to reduce the health risks from eating fish from the Cape Fear River by choosing safer fish species and the preparation methods that reduce the amount of contaminants,” organizers said.

Simultaneous translation will be provided for Spanish speakers. Parking is on-site but limited, organizers ask attendees consider carpooling or using public transportation.

Contact contact Chiara Klein with Duke Superfund Research Center at 845-544-5535 or chiara.klein@duke.edu for more details.