Fishing for Trouble: How Toxic Mercury Contaminates Fish in

1,37

MB

U.S. Waterways

46

stron

4705

ID

National Environmental Trust

2004

rok

Table of Contents

Executive Summary4

Mercury Contamination of Fish 7

Health Effects of Mercury Exposure.7

Mercury in Commercially-Caught Fish .8

Mercury in Recreationally-Caught Fish 9

Report Findings: A Growing Number of Waterways Under Advisory .10

Statewide Advisories. 10

Advisories on Our Lakes 10

Advisories on Our Rivers. 12

Coasts under Advisory . 15

Public Lands under Advisory. 15

Safe Eating Guidelines 17

Mercury Contamination Threatens Recreational Fishing 18

Addressing the Problem at the Source20

The Bush Administration’s Flawed Plan . 21

Conclusion and Recommendations 22

Methodology 23

Appendices

Appendix A. High Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Seafood Not Covered by FDA’s 2004

Consumption Advisory, 1978-2003. 25

Appendix B. State-by-State Mercury Advisory Totals and Money Spent on Recreational Fishing 26

Appendix C. Mercury Air Emissions from Power Plants by State or Territory, 2002. 28

Appendix D. Mercury Air Emissions by Power Plant, 2002 29

Appendix E. Detailed Breakdown of Advisories by State 43

End Notes 44