Fish Contamination in Southern California

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Fish Contamination July 2007 in Southern California

In 2002, the Montrose Settlements Restoration Program (MSRP) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund Program began a comprehensive, updated survey of marine fish along the Southern California coast to provide reliable information on the current status of contamination in the area, with particular emphasis on fish commonly caught by subsistence and sport anglers.

How was the survey conducted?

Biologists surveyed 24 coastal segments from Approximately 1000 fish samples For two representative species (kelp bass Ventura to Dana Point, collecting over 2,500 were analyzed for DDTs, PCBs, dieldrin, and white croaker) multiple body parts samples of 23 species of fish, including: chlordane and mercury. were also analyzed, because anglers often eat more than just the fillet (e.g. whole fish

Most fish were collected in late 2002, with in stew or soup). These body parts included • Barred sandbass additional white croaker samples taken the skin-off fillet from one side, skin-on • Black croaker into 2004 to evaluate a white croaker fillet from the other side, viscera, and the • California corbina commercial catch ban currently in effect remaining tissue and skeleton together. • California halibut off the coast of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. • California sheephead The relationships between contaminant Analysis was generally conducted on skin- • California scorpionfish (sculpin) concentrations in the different body off filets (muscle tissue, with the belly flap components allowed us to estimate • Chub (Pacific) mackerel removed). Most samples were analyzed the total contaminant levels in a whole, • Halfmoon as single-fish samples, however for some ungutted fish, as well as determine • Jacksmelt species and/or contanminants, tissue from how different fish preparations affect • Kelp (calico) bass multiple fish were analyzed together. contaminant levels. • Pacific barracuda Ventura • Pacific sardine • Opaleye

• Queenﬁsh Los Angeles

• Rockfishes Malibu Santa Monica • Sargo Biologists collected • Shovelnose guitarfish over 2,500 samples in Redondo Beach • Surfperches areas across the coast of Southern California. • Topsmelt Rancho Palos Verdes Seal Beach Additional samples taken • Yellowfin croaker near Ventura to the north • Yellowtail and Point Dume to the Newport Beach • White croaker south are not pictured. • White seabass Dana Point

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Kilometers Fish Contamination in Southern California

What are the results?

A full discussion of the diff erences in contaminated species near the Palos contaminant concentrations between Verdes shelf (i.e., southern Santa species and locations is provided in the Monica Bay, Palos Verdes Shelf, and 2002-2004 Southern California Coastal San Pedro Bay). White croaker samples Marine Fish Contaminants Survey, collected from segments in Orange available online at County and parts of Long Beach www.montroserestoration.gov and Harbor had levels of contamination Kelp (or calico) bass is an important www.epa.gov/region09/features/pvshelf. that were similar to white croaker predator in rocky reef habitats, and a collected from the more northerly prized target for many anglers. segments (Point Dume and Ventura). Organochlorines (PCBs, DDTs, chlordane, dieldrin) Mercury Concentrations of PCBs, DDTs, and Variation in mercury was generally chlordane varied broadly among driven by diff erences between species species and locations. Maximum and by fi sh size, with larger, higher concentrations of PCBs were lower trophic level species (kelp bass, barred than those of DDTs, and maximum sand bass) generally higher in mercury values of chlordane were lower than concentrations than smaller, lower PCBs. Almost all dieldrin concentrations trophic level species. One important were below the detection limit. This fi nding for mercury was that while variability was largely consistent with species belonging to the tuna/ previous surveys. mackerel family are often associated California scorpionfi sh (or “sculpin”) is with higher mercury content, Pacifi c The variation in contaminant another commonly caught species. mackerel in this study had some of the concentrations seemed to be driven lowest mercury concentrations of all both by diff erences between locations the species analyzed in this study. and by species. DDT concentrations were generally higher than PCB Whole fi sh analysis concentrations, particularly close Based on contaminant analyses to the Palos Verdes shelf. This is of the skin-off fi llet, skin-on fi llet, consistent with reported sediment viscera, and “remainder” of fi sh, we concentrations, which have about estimated the concentrations of a 10 to 1 ratio of DDTs to PCBs. One contaminants in whole, ungutted fi sh. exception was opaleye. Further study Our results suggest that whole fi sh have and analysis is needed to understand concentrations of PCBs and DDTs that DDT/PCB ratios in opaleye. White croaker (or “tomcod”) was are generally 8 to 10 times higher than generally the most highly contaminated For organochlorines, white croaker only the fi llets. species near the Palos Verdes Shelf. was generally the most highly

Find it Online! A complete copy of the 2002-2004 Southern California Coastal Marine Fish Contaminants Survey can be found online at www.montroserestoration.gov or www.epa.gov/region09/features/pvshelf. How will the results be used?

To help protect the public from consuming contaminated fi sh, the Updated fi sh results will be used to update fi sh advisory and white consumption advisories and the croaker catch ban commercial fi shing ban for white information will croaker, which will in turn be used to be integrated into ongoing public conduct outreach and education about outreach and 1) fi sh contamination; 2) ways to reduce education programs contaminant intake; and 3) which fi sh and materials. provide healthier alternatives.

The results will also help EPA conduct risk assessments and guide potential cleanup options for the contaminated process, and will work with OEHHA to Cleanup of the sediment, as well as help the Montrose ensure that the data and advisories are contaminated sediments Settlements Restoration Program provided and explained to the public The vast majority of the DDTs and PCBs (MSRP) eff orts to restore the public’s causing the fi sh contamination are in ability to fi sh for less contaminated Public outreach and education a large deposit of sediments lying on fi sh. For example, results will guide the Updated fi sh advisory and white the Palos Verdes Shelf. EPA is studying placement of artifi cial reefs near fi shing croaker commercial catch ban the contamination and looking at ways piers to increase the availability of less- information will be integrated to reduce the risk to human health contaminated species for anglers. into ongoing public outreach and and the environment from exposure education program eff orts via the to these contaminants. The data from Updating fi shing advisories Fish Contamination Education this survey will assist EPA in developing and commercial fi shing bans Collaborative, or FCEC. a cleanup plan, which should be The results of this survey will be used for available for public review in 2008. risk assessments and fi sh consumption Members of the FCEC conduct a advisory analysis. The California Offi ce variety of programs to educate the Restoration of lost of Environmental Health Hazard fi shing opportunities public about fi sh contamination Assessment (OEHHA) will use this and Because the public’s use of marine (including targeted outreach to people other data to update existing sport fi sh fi shing resources have been negatively who are most highly exposed to fi sh consumption advisories and to review impacted by the contaminants, MSRP contamination), recommend measures the current commercial no-take (“catch is investigating ways to increase the to reduce contaminant intake, and ban”) zone for white croaker near the availability of less contaminated fi sh provide anglers with information on Palos Verdes shelf. along the coast of Southern California. which fi sh are better alternatives. For example, changing fi sh habitat Further information about the FCEC EPA and the MSRP encourage the around fi shing sites could attract may be obtained from www.pvsfi sh.org. public to play an active role in this diff erent, less contaminated fi sh.

For more information, contact: Background Fish Consumption Advisory and Commercial Catch Ban: Dr. Robert Brodberg From the 1940s to the 1970s, millions continue to accumulate DDTs and PCBs California EPA in harmful amounts. The state and federal Office of Environmental of pounds of DDTs and PCBs were Health Hazard Assessment discharged from industrial sources through governments investigated and in 1990 (916) 323-4763 wastewater outfalls into the ocean at White filed an action against several responsible [email protected] Point, near Los Angeles. The discharge of parties. In March 2001, the court approved these chemicals ceased more than 30 years the last of a series of settlements providing Fish Contamination Education Collaborative ago, but their impacts persist today. funds to the EPA to respond to the Sharon Lin ecological and human risks posed by the USEPA Region 9 Superfund Division The primary source of DDTs was industrial DDTs and PCBs, and to six federal and (415) 972-3446 [email protected] waste from the Montrose Chemical state natural resource trustee agencies Corporation, which manufactured the (Trustees) to restore injured natural pesticide DDT at its facility in Torrance, resources and compensate for the loss of Sediment Cleanup Plan Carmen White CA from 1947 to 1982. The contaminants the services they provide. USEPA Region 9 Superfund Division dispersed throughout Southern California’s (415) 972-3010 In 1991, the State of California issued fish [email protected]. marine environment. The highest sediment and fish concentrations occur offshore of consumption advisories for locations between Malibu and Newport Beach, Restoration of Lost Fishing Opportunities Los Angeles on the Palos Verdes Shelf (PV Greg Baker Shelf), where the outfalls discharge. largely based on data collected before Montrose Settlements Restoration 1985. It has been more than fifteen years Program (650) 329-5048 Today, large amounts of DDTs and PCBs since a large-scale survey of contaminants [email protected] remain in ocean water and sediments, in fish in this area has been conducted. and certain fish, birds, and other wildlife

What can I do?

Join the FCEC efforts! Help educate your community about fish contamination. Visit www.pvsfish.org for an event calendar, or contact info@pvsfish.org for more information on volunteer and paid opportunities.

Give us your feedback! The processes of updating ﬁsh consumption advisories, re-evaluating the existing white croaker commercial catch ban area regulations, making decisions regarding sediment cleanup, and planning artiﬁcial reefs will all involve meetings to gather public feedback. For information on how to get involved, contact the people listed listed above.