NFC Executive Director on Stocking PFAS Contaminated Water...
Maine rivers have a long history of industrial, waste, and agricultural abuse. (Bob Mallard)
“While more about public safety than conservation, stocking trout in contaminated water shows just how deeply ingrained the stocking culture is...”
After reading a story about Maine stocking PFAS contaminated waters with trout, NFC Executive Director Bob Mallard decided to take a closer look. What Bob found was concerning, quite telling, and unfortunately not limited to Maine…
In addition to knowingly stocking PFAS contaminated waters, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is allowing anglers to harvest and consume fish from these waters at rates that exceed that recommended by state public health officials.
In one case, Maine is stocking a series of PFAS contaminated kids-only fishing ponds and allowing children to harvest up to 5 fish a day, even though they reference a fish-consumption advisory that suggests that no fish be eaten from these waters.
Unless otherwise noted, the daily limit on brook trout in lakes and pods in Maine’s North Zone is 5-fish.
Equally concerning is that Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife appears to be downplaying, or even challenging the dangers of PFAS…
“IN AN IDEAL WORLD, YES, WE’D PUT THE FISH WHERE THERE ARE NO HEALTH ISSUES, BUT THERE’S STILL A LOT WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT PFAS...”
“CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES ARE JUST THAT, ADVISORIES... IS EATING ONE CONTAMINATED FISH ANY WORSE THAN EATING TOO MUCH BARBECUE? PEOPLE HAVE TO USE THEIR OWN JUDGMENT”
The ponds in question are said to be some of the most polluted in the state, and among seven waters in Maine stocked with trout where state toxicologists have imposed strict consumption advisories due to high levels of PFAS.
Stocking contaminated water with fish and allowing anglers, including children, to harvest them for consumption raises some serious questions as to our priorities and focus. It is also another reason to challenge the flawed belief that trout should be unlimited…