FISHING closures in Port Stephens in response to the Williamtown RAAF contamination were lifted on Saturday 1st October 2016.
These fishing closures have been in place since September 2015 since it was discovered that firefighting chemicals had been leaking from the base into ground and surface water.
Testing and analysis of seafood in the vicinity was undertaken, to determine the level of impact in the Hunter and Port Stephens waterways.
While an ongoing restriction will be placed on dusky flathead caught in the Hunter River for commercial fishers, all the other closures have been lifted.
Deputy Director General DPI Fisheries, Geoff Allan, said the closures would be lifted as part of the Fisheries Management Response which responds to advice provided by the Williamtown Contamination Expert Panel.
“Reopening Tilligerry Creek and Fullerton Cove to both commercial and recreational fishers was recommended by the Williamtown Expert Panel and follows the Commonwealth’s Human Health Risk Assessment and the enHealth Guideline review,” Dr Allan said.
“These results have concluded the continued presence of PFAS in some seafood, but at levels that provide minimal risk to most consumers,” Allan said.
Advice on the consumption of locally sourced seafood will be provided to the community, who may be exposed to the chemicals from a variety of sources. This includes advice on certain species of seafood that addresses consumption amounts and frequency.
