So it comes as a shock to learn of the EPA dietary alert for certain fish species found in our river. These have been found to have elevated levels of per and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), most commonly associated with firefighting foams once used extensively at local military bases.

The same firefighting foams were blamed for the closure of the fishing industry near Williamtown near Newcastle.

We should not be alarmed by the discovery of these elevated levels of PFAS in local fish quite yet but we should be alert to it. The advice is directed towards heavy consumers of luderick (blackfish), sea mullet, sand whiting, dusky flathead and silver biddy from both up and downstream of the Shoalhaven River bridge. They have been cautioned to limit their weekly intake of these species. 

The temptation might be to point the finger at HMAS Albatross, which used the firefighting foam extensively, but it would be wiser to keep a level head and allow the EPA to carry out its investigation. It could be found the PFAS have come from another source entirely.

We know traces of PFAS have been detected around the two airfields in the area, at Albatross and the Jervis Bay range. We also know these substances are not just limited to firefighting foams. They are used in building materials and even in the non-stick coatings of cooking utensils.

What’s important is that we remember that ultimately the chemicals we use and the rubbish we dump, if not properly contained, will end up in our waterways. 

The EPA dietary alert serves to remind us of this fact and should act as a bit of a wake-up call.

While the alert says there is no consistent evidence of harmful effects of PFAS in humans, it does point to potential adverse health effects in animals. 

The river is still safe to fish, the fish we catch in it are still safe to eat but we should follow the EPA guidelines about how much we should eat. 

It’s in all our interests that we keep our waterways clean so future generations can enjoy what we too often take for granted.