Temporary catch-and-release fish advisory issued near Smackover 

EL DORADO – Anglers fishing Holmes Creek and Smackover Creek should temporarily refrain from keeping or eating fish caught from portions of these Union-County waters due to the recent oil spill in the area. The Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s Division of Environmental Quality have jointly issued a temporary catch-and-release fish advisory for Holmes Creek downstream from the release site north of the intersection of Gas Plant Road and All Gulf Road to downstream of Smackover Creek below the Welsco Bridge.

The precautionary advisory comes after an oil pipeline released an estimated 2,500 barrels of crude oil into portions of Holmes and Smackover Creek in June. It does not apply to areas upstream from the release site or downstream from the confluence over Smackover Creek with the Ouachita River. Fish caught in these areas are still considered safe for consumption.

Contaminants from the spill may include contaminants suspected to be carcinogenic. These contaminants could accumulate over time in fish causing issues with consumption. As a precautionary measure, ADH, AGFC and E&E recommend this temporary catch-and-release fish advisory. This advisory will be lifted once the clean-up of the oil spill is completed and more sampling is conducted.

ADH’s Fish Advisory program identifies and quantifies exposures to environmental contaminants, conducts risk assessments and communications, provides surveillance for adverse health effects, and provides health-based guidance on levels of exposure to such contaminants. For more information, please visit https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/fish-advisories.

For additional information, contact Danyelle McNeill, public information officer for the Office of Health Communications at 501-682-2540 or email danyelle.mcneill@arkansas.gov.