NorCal SETAC 2001 Seafood Contamination and Consumption

CA overview

Mercury and gold mining

Agriculture

Persistent Contaminants of Human Health Concern in Sport Fish from the Central Valley and San Francisco Bay

COLLABORATORS J.A. Davis and B.K. Greenfield San Francisco Estuary Institute C. Roberts, R. Fairey, G. Ichikawa, and M. Stephenson Moss Landing Marine Laboratory D. Crane DFG Water Pollution Control Laboratory

Consumption Advisories l Interim Sport Fish Advisory for the Bay and Delta » Issued by OEHHA in 1994 and still in effect. Concern over human exposure to residues of methylmercury, PCBs, dioxins, and organochlorine pesticides. Developmental toxicants and carcinogens. » At most 2 meals per month of Bay sport fish, and sturgeon and striped bass caught in the Delta. » More restrictive for pregnant women and children under 6: at most one meal per month. » A regulatory trigger l Advisories also exist or are in development for several Coast Range and Sierra foothill water bodies l Advisory for the Sacramento River watershed is under consideration

Regional Monitoring Program l Seven popular Bay species: striped bass, halibut, leopard shark, white croaker, shiner surfperch, jacksmelt, white sturgeon l Seven popular fishing locations throughout the Bay l Mercury, PCBs, dioxins, and organochlorine pesticides l Most recent results from 1997, also data from1994 l Most recent sampling in 2000 l Report on 1997 sampling available:

Delta Fish Study l Funded by Deltakeeper and the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board l One time study in 1998 l Two popular species: largemouth bass and white catfish l 18 fishing locations, including locations on the San Joaquin River l Mercury, selenium, arsenic, PCBs, and organochlorine pesticides l Report available:

CALFED Mercury Project l Sport fish sampling funded by CALFED and the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board l Two year study in 1999 and 2000 l Primary focus on largemouth bass, white catfish, and striped bass, also looking at other species l 32 locations, including locations on the San Joaquin River l Mercury only l Data not yet available

Sacramento River Watershed Program l Sampling began in 1997 and is continuing l Main focus on largemouth bass and white catfish l 13 fishing locations from Redding to northern Delta l Mercury, PCBs, and organochlorine pesticides l 1997 and 1998 data available l SRWP Annual Monitoring Report available at

Objectives of these studies l To determine whether persistent toxic chemicals occur in fish that are being used as human food at concentrations of potential human health concern l To track long-term trends and evaluate the effectiveness of management efforts

Screening values l Calculated following USEPA guidance l Concentrations above screening values are considered to be a “potential human health concern” and indicate the need for more detailed study