Guidelines for the consumption of giant mud crab and blue swimmer crab
In 2017, the NSW Government conducted a study to understand if it was safe to eat fish and crustacea caught by recreational fishers in Lake Macquarie.
The 2017 sampling results indicated PFAS exposure through the consumption of seafood caught in Lake Macquarie did not pose a risk to fishers or their families. Based on the levels of cadmium detected in crabs, a risk assessment was conducted, which triggered the need for dietary advice at the time.
In late 2020, the EPA and the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) conducted additional sampling, focusing on blue swimmer crab and giant mud crab, the most common crab species that are caught in Lake Macquarie.
The 2020 testing found levels of cadmium above health screening criteria in these crabs, posing a risk for fishers and their families. The precautionary dietary advice has been updated for the consumption of edible crab meat to minimise exposure to cadmium.
Regular consumers of crabs caught in Lake Macquarie should follow this advice about consumption of crab.
Blue swimmer crab
- Children under 6 years of age - up to 3 servings (of 75 grams) per week.
- All other age groups - up to 6 servings (of 150 grams) per week.
Giant mud crab
- Children under 6 years of age - up to 3 servings (of 75 grams) per month.
- All other age groups - up to 6 servings (of 150 grams)per month.
Blue swimmer crab and giant mud crab - where both species are consumed
- Children under 6 years of age - up to 3 servings (of 75 grams) per month.
- All other age groups - up to 6 servings per month (of 150 grams).
More information
- See the NSW DPI website for more advice around recreational fishing.
- Independent from the advice provided above, pregnant women and women planning pregnancy and other seafood consumers should refer to fish consumption advice published by Food Standards Australia New Zealand relating to mercury.