US EPA

5033497 

Technical Report 

What are the Causes, Consequences and Correctives of Fish Contamination in the Detroit River and AOC that Cause Health Consumption Advisories. Final Report to Michigan Sear Grant 

Kashian, DR; Drouillard, K; Haffner, D; Krause, A; Liu, Z 

2008 

GRA and I 

e 0 

The consumption of fish is often touted for its health benefits, as fish can be a high quality source of protein and can provide an important source of omega-3 fatty acids, both of which support cardiovascular health and brain development. Fish consumption, however, is not without risks, as persistent environmental contaminants such as mercury, dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls, and others are often found in fish at levels that may pose human health risks. An important source of consumable fish in the U.S. is that caught by sport fishers, both for recreational and subsistence purposes. In many states, several of these recreational fish species are under fish consumption advisories, which are designed to reduce human health risks associated with eating contaminated fish by providing specific guidelines on the amount and type of certain fish that should be consumed by different sub-groups of people. In the U.S., the number of state fish advisories due to contaminants has more than doubled over the last 15 years and in 2006 the National Listing of Fish Advisories reported that approximately 65% of the U.S. coastline (except Alaska) is under some sort of consumption advisory. The Detroit River remains under several fish consumption advisories, which are beneficial use impairments that both impact human health and affect economic revenue. In terms of the former, there are consumption restrictions for various fish species that apply to sensitive subgroups, such as children and women of childbearing age. In terms of the latter, consumption advisories on highly prized fish species such as walleye and yellow perch likely impact economic revenue of the region (Johnson 2000).