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Multiple studies show crabs from those waters continue to have harmful levels of cancer-causing dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as well as other contaminants, including mercury. The DEP, along with several community groups and municipalities in the Lower Passaic and Newark Bay region, are continuing to notify area residents of the negative health effects of crabbing in those waters.

"It is very important that people observe the ban on crabbing in this area and not eat the crabs from these waters," said DEP Commissioner Bob Martin. "This is a matter of public health and safety for area residents. Clean waters in New Jersey are in abundance and we strongly recommend people go to those places for healthy fishing and crabbing."

While some crabs may appear healthy, contaminants found in blue claw crabs and some fish pulled from these waters can be harmful to fetuses and infants. Women of child-bearing years, pregnant women and nursing mothers, in particular, are urged not to ingest these crabs from this region. Children are also at risk of developmental and neurological problems if these crabs are eaten.

"There is no way to prepare crabs from these waters to make them safe for consumption,'' said Health Commissioner Mary E. O'Dowd

Persons who violate the crabbing ban in the Lower Passaic and Newark Bay are subject to fines ranging from $300 to $3,000 for a first offense.

The blue claw crab, a bottom feeder and dweller that absorbs contaminants in sediments, has become more abundant in the Passaic River and Newark Bay complex due to the prohibition on commercial crabbing. This increased size and abundance has made crabs even more attractive to harvest for some people.
To inform residents of risks of eating blue claw crabs pulled from the Lower Passaic River and Newark Bay aquatic complex, the DEP is working with the State Department of Health (DOH), local partners, and officials of 44 municipalities and 6 counties -- Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Union and Passaic - affected by this issue.  

DOH has a new brochure entitled, "Got Your Claws in New Jersey Blue Crab?" that is available in English and Spanish, which advises consumers on crab consumption from these waters and how it can cause serious illness. For more information and a look at the new brochure, visit http://www.state.nj.us/health/foodanddrugsafety/ssp.shtml.
The region in question is a highly industrialized urban area that includes Newark Bay, the Arthur Kill and Kill Van Kull, and the tidal portions of the Hackensack, Passaic, Elizabeth, and Rahway rivers.

In 2005, the DEP and State Attorney General's Office filed a lawsuit against the companies responsible for the intentional discharge of dioxins into the Lower Passaic River. At that time, dioxin concentrations in Passaic River crabs and fish were among the highest in the world. 

In March, the first stage of a two-phase project under direction of the federal Environmental Protection Agency to remove dioxin-contaminated and cancer-causing sediments from a small portion of the lower Passaic River commenced. Responsible parties have now removed about 40,000 cubic yards of dioxin-contaminated sediments from a segment of the river in Newark. The second phase calls for the removal of about 160,000 cubic yards of sediment from the same section of river.

For more information on the blue claw crab ban, including Spanish and Portuguese language information, visit: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/crab-outreach/alert-english.htm

For a full listing of marine fish advisories for Newark Bay and the Lower Passaic River, visit: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/fishadvisories/statewide.htm#newark

To see a list of fish consumption advisories in New Jersey, visit: www.FishSmartEatSmartNJ.org     

 

FALL TURKEY SEASON PERMITS AVAILABLE

The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds hunters that the Fall Turkey Season Permit Application period opened today, August 1, and will close at 11:59 pm on August 31, 2012. Applications can be made at any license agent (http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/agentlst.htm ) or on-line (http://www.nj.wildlifelicense.com/ ).

Successful applicants will be notified during the week of September 12. Applicants can review their lottery application and see lottery results athttp://www.nj.wildlifelicense.com/. Hunters can change the area they apply for prior to the close of the application period.

Successful applicants must claim awarded permits prior to the 11:59 p.m. deadline on Sunday, October 2. All unclaimed permits will be returned to the quota and become available on a first come first serve basis for over the counter sales. There are no exceptions.

All leftover and unclaimed permits will be available on a first come, first served basis beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 4.

FISH AND GAME REP WILL ATTEND SPORTSTMENS CLUB MEETING

The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife will be providing a speaker at the Hunterdon County Federation of Sportsmens Clubs meeting in Sergeantsville on Thursday, August 9, at 7pm.  The topic will be the new Automated Harvest Report System (AHRS) which will replace the deer check station system in use since the 1970s.  The new system requires hunters to report all harvested deer via a toll-free telephone number or online. The AHRS will be used during all deer seasons beginning with this year's Fall Bow Season.

The meeting will be at the Sergeantsville Fire Company on Rt. 523 in Sergeantsville. Registration is requested with Loren Robinson at 908-782-1076 or at[email protected] as space is limited.

Information on the AHRS will be posted on the division's website by mid-August.

For more information on the fall season and permit process, visithttp://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2012/turkperm_fall12.htm on the division's website.

WATCH FOR DEER EXHIBITING SIGNS OF EHD

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) is a common viral disease in deer that is contracted from the bite of a species of midge known as Culiocoides sonorensis. EHD outbreaks in New Jersey typically occur in August through October and end with the onset of colder weather, which kills the midges that transmit the virus.

EHD outbreaks have occurred in various parts of New Jersey since 1955. Outbreaks in 1955, 1975 and 1999 were caused by the EHD serotype 1 virus, while outbreaks in 2007, 2010 and 2011 were caused by the EHD serotype 2 virus. The serotype 2 virus occurs every year in parts of the southern U.S., and its recent occurrences in New Jersey raises concern that it may persist and occur more frequently here as well.

Clinical signs of EHD can be highly variable. EHD may have a very short course (peracute), a longer period of clinical disease (acute) or a protracted course (chronic). Deer with the peracute form of the disease may die within 1-3 days of the onset. They may become depressed, feverish and have difficulty breathing. They may also develop swelling of the head, neck, tongue or eyelids. Feverish deer may go to water to drink or attempt to cool off.

Most deer that are sick will develop the acute form of the disease and live somewhat longer. In addition to the clinical signs described above, they may also become lame, lose their appetite and reduce their activity. They may also develop sores or ulcerations on the tongue or mouth. A small percentage of animals develop the chronic form of the disease and survive for weeks or months. Such animals may become emaciated in the winter and show growth interruption or peeling of the hoofs.

EHD is not a public health issue. It cannot be transmitted to people, and humans are not at risk by handling infected deer, being bitten by infected midges, or eating infected deer meat, however, the Division of Fish and Wildlife does strongly advise against consuming meat from any game animal that appears ill.

EHD virus can infect livestock but only rarely causes a mild disease in cattle. People suspecting this disease in cattle should test their animals and can seek information from the State Veterinarian's Office at 609-292-3965. Dogs and cats are not affected by EHD virus.

Deer exhibiting signs of EHD in late summer and fall, such as difficulty standing, drooling, emitting foam from the mouth or nose, or dead deer with no apparent wounds observed in or near water should be reported to any one of the following numbers:

Office of Fish and Wildlife Health and Forensics:
   Bill Stansley, 908-236-2118

Bureau of Wildlife Management:
   Northern Region - Carole Stanko or Dan Roberts, 908-735-7040
   Central Region - Jodi Powers, 609-259-6965
   Southern Region - Joe Leskie, 609-748-2043

 

 

http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/ehd_info.htm.