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Hi all, I am brand new to this forum but have been fishing for quite some time off the north shore of Long Island in the LI sound. I go out on my kayak and fish for snappers, so I was never really worried about contaminants as I followed the USFDA and NY Dept. of Health guidelines for eating fresh caught fish. Just last summer I began spear fishing because I'm a young buck and need some more excitement when I am out in the water. I have caught some strippers just at 28 inches, but haven't eaten them due to my lack of knowledge on the level of PCB's and other contaminants in the fish, and how that would affect human health. I believe I would be ok, since I exercise and (try to) eat healthy. I would like to hear some of your experiences and opinions on this matter. If there is any data and/or literature you can cite, that would be very helpful. I hope that some younger folk can respond to this, and/or those who have a more formal understanding of chemistry and biology (like marine biologists). It would actually be great to provide chemical equations on PCB's interaction with other chemicals in the human body, and how that can affect health. This would greatly increase my understanding and make me feel more comfortable in making the decision on whether or not to eat fresh caught striper and blue fish from the LI sound. Thanks!