Fish can be exposed to a variety of chemical compounds and toxic heavy metals in the environment. These pollutants enter waterways from industrial, agricultural, and wastewater treatment operations in the form of air emissions, point source runoff, or eroding sediment. Once contaminants enter aquatic ecosystems, fish can absorb them through their gills and skin or by eating food. Toxins build within fish tissue and increase over a lifetime as the rate of accumulation exceeds breakdown. Additionally, as predatory fish consume prey, these pollutants transfer and magnify in concentration up the food chain.
What are the human health impacts from consuming contaminated fish?
People are not exempt from this dilemma as we become exposed to chemicals via fish consumption and other forms of exposure to water. The state performs regular testing and issue advisories for species and waterways in which pollutant concentrations exceed limitations meant to protect us from harm. Health concerns such as cancer, developmental impairments, and neurological issues are not immediate but gradual risks if we eat great quantities of contaminated fish over time.
What are we doing to help?
Mobile Baykeeper works towards real and measurable improvement in the health of the waters of Coastal Alabama by identifying and reducing sources of pollutants that contaminate fish and affect our families. We tackle issues by finding practical solutions to reduce pollutants in our water, involving the improvement of toxic standards and encouraging folks to voluntarily cut back on substances that could harm our environment.
Review pollutants tested by the State for issuance of fish consumption advisories.
Identify point sources directly contributing to the presence of these pollutants in fish.
Improve legal criteria for toxics and increase volunteer reductions to reduce pollutants contributing to consumption advisories.
Here are a few things we’re working on right now to help make sure the fish you eat are safe:
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