The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has lifted the fishing ban along Stockton's Smith Canal following a recent oil spill, but state agencies are still advising against consuming fish from the area. The warning, issued by the Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR), emphasizes that fish and shellfish from the Smith Canal and Port of Stockton remain unsafe to eat.
The oil spill, which was reported on Friday, originated from an "oil burner" that potentially contained up to 380 gallons of petroleum. The spill occurred along the Smith Canal, just north of the Port of Stockton. In response, OSPR deployed sorbent booms and hard booms to prevent the spill from spreading into the San Joaquin River.
On Sunday afternoon, CDFW, following recommendations from the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), temporarily closed all fishing activities along the Smith Canal, extending the closure from American Legion Park to Mission Road. Later that night, the fishing prohibition was lifted, allowing fishing to resume in the area.
However, while fishing is allowed again, health officials have stressed that consuming any fish or shellfish caught from the Smith Canal or the Port of Stockton is still unsafe. This advisory is due not to the recent oil spill but to elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) found in the waterways.
The warning highlights ongoing concerns about water quality and environmental health in the region, and local anglers are urged to exercise caution and avoid consuming any fish or shellfish from the affected areas until further notice.
Sources: FOX40