Mercury in Fishes Study Released - Measurable Levels Detected in Alaska National Parks

Fish sampled in four Alaskan national parks have tested positive for mercury and in some cases exceeded State of Alaska unlimited human consumption thresholds for women and children.

The testing was part of a multi-year U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service study of fish in remote, high elevation lakes and streams in 21 national parks across 10 western states and Alaska. Mercury was found in all fish sampled though levels of the chemical harmful to fish, other wildlife and humans, varied. 

"Although fish mercury concentrations were elevated in some sites, the majority of fish across the region had concentrations that were below most benchmarks associated with impaired health of fish, wildlife, and humans. However, the range of concentrations measured suggest that complex processes are involved in driving mercury accumulation in these environments and further research is needed to better understand these processes, and assess risk," said USGS ecologist Collin Eagles-Smith, the lead author of the publication. 

The Alaska surveys took place at Denali National Park and Preserve, Wrangell-St.Elias National Park and Preserve, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Mercury concentrations were measured in lake trout, arctic grayling, kokanee, Dolly Varden and northern pike.

Some fish in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve exceeded thresholds recommended by both the State of Alaska and the Environmental Protection Agency for unlimited human consumption by women and children.

State of Alaska human consumption thresholds start at 150 parts per billion. Lake trout, with average concentrations as high as 417 parts per billion were found in one lake in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. The average concentration in lake trout in Lake Clark was 365 parts per billion. Mercury levels were low in Denali National Park and Preserve and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.

Lake trout are a relatively long-lived fish species at the top of the food web, and as such are more likely to accumulate mercury and other toxins over their lives than other species of fish. They are not consumed in great quantities by either sport or subsistence fishermen so the risk to people is likely low, but variable given location and frequency of fish consumption. The extent of the effects on fish-eating birds and mammals that depend on lake trout for survival is unknown.

Fish continue to be a nutritious food source. Many fish species, including salmon, are low in mercury. Women who may become pregnant and parents should reference fish consumption guidance developed by the State of Alaska at http://www.epi.alaska.gov/eh/fish/default.htm.

The study, "Mercury in fishes from 21 national parks in the Western United States – Inter and intra-park variation in concentrations and ecological risk," is available online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2014/1051/pdf/ofr2014-1051.pdf. For more information visithttp://www.nature.nps.gov/air/studies/ToxicEffects.cfm.

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TOUGH TIMES FOR KENAI RIVER GUIDES

Kenai River (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

From the Peninsula Clarion...

Bruce Ewitt guided on the Kenai River for 11 years before he quit after the 2012 fishing season and shifted his efforts toward king salmon returning to the Columbia River.

He joined the ranks of sportfishing guides, nearly 100 since 2007, who have stopped guiding on the Kenai River a trend that other guides say could be indicative of future river use.

READ MORE

ADF&G PROVIDES NEW TOOL FOR ANGLERS

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Division of Sport Fish recently developed a new Google Earth mapping application that is now posted on the department’s website and available for public use. The application provides anglers and other information seekers with easy access to contour

maps, photographs, fish data, stocking records, and historic documents for over 1,300 water bodies throughout the state.

ADF&G is confident the user-friendly Alaska Lake Database (ALDAT) application has something for everyone. Water bodies are marked on a Google Earth map with colored pins, making stocked fisheries identifiable at a glance. Anglers can search potential fishing locations by name, area, stocking date, or fish species. Outdoor enthusiasts can manually navigate the map using their mouse and overlay useful layers such as roads and trails. Students, managers, and researchers can export lake data across multiple datasets and specify the fields they wish to include in their request using the data export page.

“Alaska’s lakes are teeming with fish, and each provides exciting opportunities for sustainable sport fishing opportunities. This innovative approach to providing information in a manner that is easily accessible and tailored to the needs of our Alaskan anglers is consistent with the division’s goal to inform the public about recreational fishing opportunities with an emphasis on exceptional customer service,” said Charlie Swanton, Director of the ADF&G Division of Sport Fish.

Check it out today! Get started planning your next fishing trip by visiting: www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSportStockingHatcheries.lakesdatabase or go to: www.adfg.alaska.gov and click on “Fishing” and then “Sport”. On the left hand side of the page, click on “Alaska Lake Database.”

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Illegally Discarded Fish Waste May Draw Bears, Fines for Violators

Image via Wikipedia(Anchorage) – As the summer fishing season peaks in Southcentral Alaska, anglers and dip netters are reminded not to dispose of fish waste in Anchorage area streams, lakes and neighborhoods. Discarding fish waste on public or private property is against state and municipal law and can draw bears into areas frequented by the public. Violators may be subject to fines ranging from $300 to $1,000.
The Divisions of Sport Fish and Wildlife Conservation have recently received numerous reports of salmon waste dumped into Anchorage creeks, lakes and neighborhood areas. This illegal activity is a serious public safety concern; fish waste can draw bears to an area from more than a mile away.
“People may not realize they are putting other people in danger when they illegally dump fish or fish carcasses, but this is a serious public safety issue,” said Jessy Coltrane, area biologist for the Division of Wildlife Conservation. “Fish carcasses attract bears, and bears may defend these food sources if people accidentally come near.”
Moving fish carcasses from drainage to drainage also has the potential to introduce fish pathogens into stream systems, endangering local salmonids, said Dan Bosch, area biologist for the Division of Sport Fish.
To properly dispose of unwanted fish or fish carcasses in a safe manner, please follow these recommendations:

• If fish is not spoiled and is well packaged, it can be donated to Bean’s Café, which serves meals to the homeless (1101 E. 3rd Ave between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.)
• The Alaska Zoo, Bird Treatment and Learning Center, and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center will usually accept fish donations for wildlife. Fish cannot be spoiled, smoked, flavored or badly freezer-burned. Call each facility prior to donating to learn about hours and specific needs (Bird Treatment and Learning Center, 562-4852; Alaska Zoo, 346-3242; Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, 783-2025).
• Filleted carcasses and other fish waste should be taken directly to a waste transfer station or to the landfill. Another option is to freeze fish waste to eliminate odors and then place it out with garbage on the morning of trash pickup. Do not put waste out the night before trash pickup.