FRANKFORT — Ohio River paddlefish can go back on the menu for most adults. But health officials say to eat in moderation.

        With the river a bit cleaner, an annual advisory about which fish can be safely eaten has been modified.

        Levels of mercury and the carcinogen PCB “remain the main contaminants of concern from a public health perspective,” Dr. Rice Leach, the state's public health commissioner, said in a statement.

        Overall, “the levels of contaminants have decreased to the point that many kinds of fish are now safe to eat at the advised frequency,” Dr. Leach said.

        Paddlefish, also called spoon bills, were on the “do not eat” list last year. They still are for infants, children and pregnant or nursing women.

        The advisory was based on tests of fish samples from 1995 to 1999, except for paddlefish, which were sampled in 1991, 1998 and 1999. The advisory assumes a meal of fish with a precooked weight of one-half pound, eaten by a 150-pound individual. Fish skin, bones and as much fat as possible should be removed, according to the advisory.

        Children, women of childbearing age and people who frequently eat fish are particularly susceptible to contaminants such as PCBs and mercury.

        Proper cleaning, skinning, trimming and cooking can reduce contaminant levels. But cooking does not destroy contaminants or make them less toxic. Nor does it reduce mercury levels, according to the advisory.

        Following are guidelines, by section of river. “Special population” includes infants, children and pregnant or nursing women.

        • Upper Reach — mouth of Big Sandy to Markland lock and dam:

        General population — paddlefish, six meals per year; carp, channel catfish under 21 inches, smallmouth buffalo, drum and striped bass, one meal per month; white bass and sauger, one meal per week.

        Special population — no paddlefish or channel catfish over 21 inches; carp, channel catfish under 21 inches, smallmouth buffalo, drum and striped bass, six meals per year; white bass and sauger, one meal per month; white crappie, one meal per week.

        • Middle Reach — Markland lock and dam to Cannelton lock and dam:

        General population — paddlefish and channel catfish over 21 inches, six meals per year; channel catfish under 21 inches, carp, striped bass, white bass and drum, one meal per month; sauger and black gass, one meal per week.

        Special population — no paddlefish or channel catfish over 21 inches; channel catfish under 21 inches, carp, striped bass, white bass and drum, six meals per year; sauger and black bass, one meal per month.

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