Cadmium
Uses of cadmium, health effects including symptoms and ways you can be exposed to cadmium
Recreational fishing restrictions apply in designated locations in Port Pirie waters because some seafood species contain high levels of heavy metals – particularly lead and cadmium. These species are not safe to consume, especially in waters south of the Weerona Island Boat ramp including First Creek, Second Creek and the harbour area of the Port Pirie River.
Based on the findings of the risk assessment report, permanent restrictions on some seafood species from designated locations apply.
These restrictions do not apply to commercial or recreational fishing outside of these locations.
The designated locations of the fishing closure are:
Follow the directions of the Port Pirie fishing closure notice issued by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions.
The following advice has been issued by SA’s Chief Public Health Officer:
*Cooking does not reduce lead or other metals in seafood. Cooking practices including baking and grilling whole finfish, cooking whole crabs in shells and boiling finfish bones and heads, may transfer metals to edible portions (meat) or soups and stock during food preparation (freezing, thawing and cooking) and contribute to the overall ingestion of metals from eating seafood caught in these waters.
** The metal levels in edible portions of species not tested in the 2020 survey such as squid or octopus are currently unknown but historical research shows these species can accumulate metals in a similar way to species tested in 2020.
A summary table (PDF 161KB) has been developed which details the seafood types, designated areas and recommendations about consumption by young children, pregnant people and other adults. This guide has been designed to be printed out and kept with you when fishing and has been based on the report findings.