vvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Fish and ShelOfish Program
NEWSLETTER
May 2019
EPA 823-N-18-004
In This Issue
Recent Advisory News	1
EPA News	4
Other News			8
Recently Awarded Research... 11
Tech and Tools	12
Recent Publications	13
Upcoming Meetings
and Conferences	14
This newsletter provides information
only. This newsletter does not
impose legally binding requirements
on the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), states, tribes, other
regulatoiy authorities, orthe
regulated community. The Office of
Science and Technology, Office of
Water, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency has approved this newsletter
for publication. Mention of trade
names, products, or sen/ices does
not convey and should not be
interpreted as conveying official EPA
approval, endorsement, or
recommendation for use.
https://www.epa.gov/fish-tech
This issue of the Fish and Shellfish Program Newsletter generally focuses on PCBs.
Recent Advisory News
H; 2019 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory
In March 2019, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), in cooperation with the Ohio
Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, issued
fish consumption advisories for sport fish caught in state waters.
Fish for Your Health: Overall Advice on Fish Consumption
Fish: A Healthy Part of Your Diet
There are many benefits to including fish in a balanced diet for people of all ages. Fish are
high in protein, low in fat, rich in many vitamins and minerals, and are the primary food
source of healthy oils called omega-3 fatty acids. Studies suggest that omega-3 fatly acids
are important during fetal brain and eye development and may help to prevent heart
disease in adults. Additionally, fishing can be a rewarding hobby that brings people closer
to nature, provides a source of natural food, and can even help with wildlife conservation.
Unfortunately, some fish in Ohio's waters are contaminated with harmful chemicals like
methyl mercury and a group of chemicals called polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Over
time, eating contaminated fish can cause health problems. By making safe fish choices, all
Ohioans can enjoy the health benefits that fish offer.
Choose Better Fish
In general, some fish tend to be lower in contaminants than others. The following table is
a guide to Ohio sport fish consumption choices:
General Ohio Sport Hsh Consumption Advice
Meal Frequency
Fish Species
Two meals/week*
Yellow perch
Sunfish (e.g., bluegill, green, longear, redear)
One meal/week
All fish not specified in this table
One meal/month
Flathead catfish 23" and over
Northern pike 23" and over
Steelhead trout from Lake Erie and its tributaries
Consumption of these species should be limited to one meal/week from: Ashtabula River, Cuyahoga River,
Mahoning River, Nesmith Lake, Ohio Canal, Ohio River, and West Branch Reservoir; and as otherwise
indicated in the Limit Your Meals from These Waters section of the state's advisory. Always refer to the full
Advisory Table to determine if there is a more or less restrictive advisory on fish from a certain body of
water.
This newsletter provides a monthly summary of news about fish and shellfish

-------
Fish and Shellfish Program newsletter
May 2019
Anglers in Ohio can also use the following general advice to harvest healthier fish with fewer contaminants:
•	Choose the smallest fish within the legal size limit. Smaller, younger fish tend to have fewer contaminants
built up in their bodies.
•	Avoid bottom feeders and suckers.
•	Avoid fish from a body of water known to be contaminated.
•	Vary the types of fish you catch and eat.
Go to http: //wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/species-and-habitats/species-guide-index for pictures of common Ohio sport fish.
"Do Not Eat" Advisories
Some species of fish from certain Ohio waters should not be eaten at all. The following table summarizes the Ohio
sportfish for which a new Do Not Eat advisory has been issued in 2019:
2019 "Do Not Eat" Advisory
Body of Water
Area Under Advisory
Species
Contaminant
Great Miami River
Lowhead Dam at Monument Avenue, Dayton, to
Main Street, Moraine
Channel Catfish, Common Carp
PCBs
Advisory Table
The following table summarizes new or changed advisories for 2019. Please check the Advisory Table for a complete
list of all advisories.
2019 AdvisoryTable
Body of Water
Area Under Advisory
Species
Meal Frequency
Contaminant
Clark Lake
All waters
Channel Catfish, Common Carp
Two/week
Mercury
Cuyahoga River
State Route 87, Russell
Park, to Ohio Edison Dam
Pool
(Geauga, Portage, Summit
Counties)
Rock Bass
Two/week
Mercury
Black Crappie, Smallmouth Bass
One/month
Mercury
Ohio Edison Dam Pool to
mouth (Lake Erie)
(Cuyahoga, Summit
Counties)
Rock Bass
Two/week
Mercury
Brown Bullhead, Channel Catfish, Common
Carp, Smallmouth Buffalo
One/month
PCBs
White Sucker 16" and over,
Smallmouth Bass 15" and over
One/month
Mercury
Freshwater Drum
One/month
Mercury, PCBs
Delaware Lake
All waters
Bluegill Sunfish, Common Carp
Two/week
Mercury
Black Crappie
One/week
Arsenic
Channel Catfish
One/week
PCBs
Largemouth Bass
One/week
Arsenic, Mercury
Great Miami River
Lowhead Dam at
Monument Avenue,
Dayton, to Main Street,
Moraine
(Montgomery County)
Channel Catfish, Common Carp
DO NOT EAT
PCBs
Flathead Catfish
One/month**
PCBs, Mercury
Golden Redhorse, Smallmouth Redhorse
One/month**
PCBs
Largemouth Bass, Saugeye, Smallmouth
Bass, White Bass
One/month**
Mercury
2

-------
Fish and Shellfish Program newsletter
May 2019
Body of Water
Area Under Advisory
Species
Meal Frequency
Contaminant
Great Miami River
(continued)
Main Street, Moraine, to
State Route 73 near
Middletown
(Butler, Montgomery,
Warren Counties)
Flathead Catfish
One/month**
PCBs, Mercury
Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Golden
Redhorse, Smallmouth Redhorse
One/month**
PCBs
Largemouth Bass, Saugeye, Smallmouth
Bass, White Bass
One/month**
Mercury
State Route 73 near
Middletown to Harrison
Pike, Miamitown
(Butler, Hamilton, Warren
Counties)
Striped Bass Hybrid
One/two
months**
PCBs, Lead
Flathead Catfish
One/month**
PCBs, Mercury
Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Freshwater
rum, Smallmouth Redhorse
One/month**
PCBs
Harrison Pike, Miamitown,
to mouth (Ohio River)
(Hamilton County)
Striped Bass Hybrid
One/two
months**
*PCBs, Lead
Flathead Catfish
One/month**
PCBs, Mercury
Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Smallmouth
Redhorse
One/month**
PCBs
Hocking River
Rock Mill Road, Rock Mill,
to State Route 33, The
Plains
(Athens, Fairfield, Hocking
Counties)
Common Carp
One/month
PCBs, Mercury
Smallmouth Bass
One/month
Mercury
Black Crappie
Unrestricted
-
State Route 33, The
Plains, to U.S. Route
50/State Route 32, Athens
(Athens, Hocking Counties)
Freshwater Drum
One/month
PCBs
Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass
One/month
Mercury
Black Crappie
Unrestricted
-
U.S. Route 50/State route
32, Athens, to mouth (Ohio
River)
(Athens County)
Freshwater Drum
One/month
PCBs
Spotted Bass
One/month
Lead
Smallmouth Bass
One/month
Mercury
Rock Bass
Two/week
Mercury
Kokosing River
County Road 13/Green
Valley Road, Mount
Vernon, to mouth
(Walhonding River)
(Coshocton, Knox
Counties)
Rock Bass 8" and over, Smallmouth Bass
One/month
Mercury
Lake La Su An
All waters
(Williams County)
Largemouth Bass
One/month
Mercury
Bluegill Sunfish
One/week
Mercury
Leesville Lake
All waters
(Carroll County)
Black Crappie, Bluegill Sunfish, Channel
Catfish, Common Carp, Yellow Perch
Two/week
Mercury
Saugeye
One/month
Mercury
Little Cuyahoga River
State Route 532 near
Mogadore to mouth
(Cuyahoga River) (Summit
County)
Common Carp
One/month
PCBs
Yellow Bullhead
One/month
Lead
Stonelick Lake
All waters (Clermont
County)
Bluegill Sunfish, Channel Catfish
Two/week
Mercury
Tinkers Creek
East Idlewood Drive, near
Twinsburg, to Cuyahoga
River (Cuyahoga, Summit
Counties)
Common Carp
One/month
Mercury
Tycoon Lake
All waters
(Gallia County)
Black Crappie, Bluegill Sunfish, Channel
Catfish
Two/week
Mercury
*Chemical that drives the advisory
**Changedfrom "Do Not Eat"
PAHs = Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
PCBs = Polychlorinated Biphenyls
3

-------
Fish and Shellfish Program newsletter
May 2019
Do Not Wade or Swim in These Waters
The ODH, as part of its advisory, also stresses that the waters and/or sediments in areas where fish consumption
advisories are issued have high levels of contaminants. It is recommended that a person not swim or wade in the
water body sections listed in the table below.
"Do Not Wade or Swim" Advisories
Body of Water
Area Under Advisory
Contaminant
Dicks Creek
River mile 4.1 (1 mile downstream from North Branch Dicks Creek),
Middletown to the Great Miami River (Butler County)
PCBs
Little Scioto River
State Route 739, near Marion to Holland Road, near Marion (Marion County)
PAHs
Mahoning River
NW Bridge Road (Warren) to Pennsylvania State Line (Mahoning, Trumbull
counties)
PAHs, PCBs
PAHs = Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
PCBs = Polychlorinated Biphenyls
For more information about the Ohio fish consumption advisories for 2019, contact:
•	Ohio Environmental Protection Agency at (800) 755-4769 or fishmail@epa.ohio.gov (Website:
www.epa.ohio.gov.')
•	Ohio Department of Health at (614) 728-9452 or BEH@odh.ohio.gov (Website: www.odh.ohio.gov.')
•	Ohio Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-WILDLIFE (945-3543) or wildinfo@dnr.state.oh.us
(Website: http://ohiodnr.gov/.')
Source: https://epa.ohio.gov/portals/0v^/fishad\isorv/fishadvisor\ pamphlet.pdf
EPA News
Final Second Five-Year Review Report for the Hudson River PCBs
Superfund Site
Background
On April 11, 2019, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 published the "Final Second Five-Year
Review Report for the Hudson River PCBs Superfund Site." The purpose of this second five-year review (FYR) is to
determine whether the remedial actions at the Hudson River PCBs Superfund Site (Site) are protective of public
health and the environment and functioning as designed. This FYR was conducted for both the Remnant Deposits
and the in-river sediments of the Upper Hudson River, which is the approximately 40-mile stretch of the river
between Fort Edward and the Federal Dam at Troy. EPA continues to collect and analyze data on an ongoing basis
as it is received.
4

-------
Fish and Shellfish Program newsletter
May 2019
The EPA is addressing the Site in discrete phases or components known as operable units (OUs). The FYR
addresses the remedial actions for the Remnant Deposits (OUi) and the second OU (OU2). EPA's remedy for OUi
includes in-place capping of the Remnant Deposits (areas of PCB-contaminated sediments that became exposed
when the Fort Edward Dam was removed in 1973 and the river's water level dropped).
Major components of the OU2 remedy include:
1.	removal of PCB-contaminated sediments via environmental dredging within areas targeted for remediation,
followed by placement of backfill or in limited areas capping;
2.	Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) of PCB contamination that remains in the river after dredging;
3.	monitoring of fish, water, and sediment to determine when remediation goals are reached;
4.	habitat reconstruction and associated monitoring; and
5.	implementation of appropriate institutional controls such as fish consumption advisories and fishing
restrictions by the responsible authorities.
The 2002 Record of Decision (ROD) (EPA, 2002) for OU2 selected dredging to address PCB-contaminated
sediments of the Upper Hudson River, along with MNA of PCB contamination that remains in the river after
dredging. General Electric Company (GE) is implementing the OU2 remedy pursuant to a 2006 Consent Decree
with the United States. Dredging was conducted in two phases and completed in 2015; in total, GE reported that
2.75 million cubic yards of sediment were dredged from the river, processed, and shipped via train to approved
landfills for disposal during the two dredging phases (Phase 1 and Phase 2). Demobilization of the sediment
processing facility was largely completed in December 2016 although certain demobilization activities, including
sampling associated with the filter presses and their removal, were not completed until April 2017. The project is
currently transitioning from the active remedial action phase to the Operation, Maintenance & Monitoring
(OM&M) phase during the MNA period of the remedy.
OU2 data reviewed for this FYR included water, fish, and sediment data, as well as any other applicable data
collected as part of the remedial action. These data have been collected throughout the various phases of the
project, including pre-design information, the baseline monitoring program, remedial design data collection, the
remedial action monitoring program, and monitoring under the OM&M program. The data collected up through
2016 reflect conditions less than a year after completion of dredging and are still influenced by dredging-related
impacts. Source control actions at the former GE plant and the reductions in sediment PCBs from the dredging have
also led to declines in surface water concentrations in the Upper Hudson. EPA is anticipating a similar reduction in
PCB levels in fish, followed by continued but more gradual declines in fish tissue concentrations during the post-
dredging MNA period. Further monitoring will be required to verify remedy effectiveness, but the analyses
presented in this report demonstrate that the models used to support decision making were well-designed, remedial
action objectives (RAOs) were appropriately developed, and remedy implementation is proceeding as planned.
5

-------
Fish and Shellfish Program newsletter
May 2019
Institutional Controls
The 2002 ROD (OU2) included institutional controls in the form of fish consumption advisories and fishing
restrictions until the relevant remediation targets and goals are met. These controls are designed to prevent or limit
exposure to PCBs through consumption of contaminated fish.
In 1976, as a result of PCB contamination in the Hudson River, the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation (NYSDEC) banned all fishing in the Upper Hudson and most commercial fishing in the Lower
Hudson. In 1995, NYSDEC reopened the Upper Hudson River (from Baker's Falls in the Village of Hudson Falls to
the Federal Dam in Troy) to sport fishing on a catch-and-release basis only. The mid- and lower regions of the
Hudson River are not subject to the catch-and-release regulation. They are, however, subject to a sportfish
consumption advisory issued by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). This advisory is an
institutional control that seeks to limit human exposure to PCBs through the consumption of fish and crab from the
Hudson River.
The NYSDOH River Fish Advisory Outreach Project has been established to promote awareness of the fish
advisories and regulations and to encourage people to adhere to them. Various outreach initiatives, including
placing signs at major fishing access sites to warn people of the dangers of consuming fish from the Hudson River,
are being implemented.
Technical Assessment
OUi: The caps on the Remnant Deposits are intact and functioning as intended to prevent potential contact with
contaminated PCB sediment.
OU2: The remedial action was implemented consistent with the expectations of the ROD, and while human health
and ecological remedial goals have not yet been achieved, the limited post-dredging data indicates that the remedy
is consistent with modeling analyses and expectations presented in the feasibility study and ROD. The following
summarizes of the status of the OU2 remedy:
•	NYSDEC and NYSDOH have maintained the fishing restrictions and advisories, with modifications as
appropriate, and those departments continue to conduct public outreach to minimize human consumption
of fish.
•	Remedial work at GE's Fort Edward and Hudson Falls plants, overseen by NYSDEC, has resulted in
reduced water column PCB concentrations entering the project area, at or below the levels anticipated in
the ROD.
•	Fish, sediment and water data at this early time are not sufficient to identify post-dredging trends with a
high degree of confidence, and likely reflect continued impacts from dredging operations. Additional years
of monitoring data are needed. As noted in the ROD (e.g., pp 68-69), EPA's expectation was that following
dredging, the system would require at least a year or more to equilibrate to post-dredging conditions and
exposures.
6

-------
Fish and Shellfish Program newsletter
May 2019
•	Monitoring of water, fish, and sediment will continue under the OM&M program to confirm that natural
attenuation continues to occur, and that the remedy is functioning as intended.
•	Limited data collection from the Lower Hudson River indicates that recovery rates are slower than in the
Upper Hudson River. While the link between Upper Hudson River and Lower Hudson River impacts has
reduced over time, GE sources in the Upper Hudson River have been the primary source of PCBs in the
Lower Hudson River. EPA plans further studies to better understand the extent of PCB contamination in
the sediments of the Lower Hudson River.
This FYR is based on post-dredging data up to December 2016 for sediment, water column and fish tissue PCB
concentrations, and provides preliminary indications of system response to implementation of the remedy.
Protectiveness
OUi: The remedy at the Remnant Deposits (OUi) currently protects human health and the environment as the in-
place containment and cap system prevents human exposure, and as perimeter fencing and signage continue to be
maintained. However, in order for the remedy to be protective in the long-term, an institutional control needs to be
implemented to ensure that the future use of the areas with the Remnant Deposits does not compromise the
integrity of the cap system or result in unsafe exposures. EPA is working to establish site ownership so that
institutional controls can be fully implemented.
OU2: A protectiveness determination of the remedy at OU2 cannot be made until further information is obtained.
There is not enough data available since the completion of dredging and related project activities in 2015 to
determine if the remedy will be protective within the time frame anticipated by the ROD. There is also not sufficient
data available to assess whether the interim targets identified in the ROD will be reached in the time frames
estimated at the time the ROD was issued in 2002. A critical factor needed for the protectiveness determination is a
reliable calculation of the rate of decline in post-dredging fish tissue PCB levels. It is necessary to examine the
annual record over a longer period of time in order to calculate this rate with statistical certainty. EPA estimates
that as many as eight or more years of post-dredging fish tissue data are needed. This information will be obtained
through the collection and evaluation of fish tissue data along with the water and sediment data collected as part of
the long-term monitoring program. Once statistically relevant rates of decline in post-dredging fish tissue PCB
levels can be established, EPA will estimate the rates of recovery and determine if they are reasonably consistent
with those predicted in the ROD. It is anticipated that this additional information will be obtained with the results
of the 2024 fish data (which will be available in 2025) after which time a protectiveness determination could be
made. Remedial activities completed to date have substantially reduced PCB source materials in the Upper Hudson
River. Natural attenuation is ongoing within the Upper Hudson River, and these processes are expected to result in
the River eventually reaching the long-term remediation goal for the protection of human health with regard to fish
consumption (0.05 mg/kg PCBs in species-weighted fish fillet). As EPA indicated in the ROD, EPA believes it likely
that improvement will occur gradually over more than five decades. In the interim, the State of New York has in
place fishing restrictions and advisories against consumption of fish to control human exposure pathways that
could result in unacceptable risks. EPA acknowledged in the ROD that the consumption advisories are not fully
7

-------
Fish and Shellfish Program newsletter
May 2019
effective in that they rely on voluntary compliance in order to prevent or limit fish consumption. EPA will continue
to work with New York State to ensure the ongoing maximum effectiveness of the advisories.
For more information, contact Gary Klawinski (EPA Hudson River Project Director) at Mawinski.gaiv@epa.gov
Source: https://m\w.epa.go\ /n\7final-second-five-vear-re\iew-report-hudson-river-pcbs-supetfund-site-report-
text-appendices
References
EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency). 2002. Record of Decision for the Hudson River PCBs
Superfund Site. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. February 2002.
Other News
A Chemical Contaminant Characterization of Waters Surrounding
Cocos Island, Guam, Using Polyethylene Devices
In September 2017, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) began assessing the scope and
extent of land-based sources of dissolved chemical contaminants in the marine waters surrounding Cocos Island,
Guam. This assessment is ongoing. Previous studies by NOAA's National Centers of Coastal Ocean Science
(NCCOS) identified a need to assess dissolved concentrations of chemical contaminants in the waters surrounding
Cocos Island, which this project will fill to better inform management decisions about the island and its marine
waters. NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program is funding this study.
Why This Is Important
Cocos Lagoon is an atoll-like coral reef lagoon located
off the southwestern coast, at the southern tip, of the
island of Guam. A series of fringing reefs and barrier
islands surround the lagoon, of which Cocos Island is
the largest. Cocos Lagoon is a popular area for
recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and
diving, along with subsistence fishing.
Between 1944 and 1963, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
operated a Long Range Navigation (LORAN) station on
Cocos Island. People have found components from this
LORAN station, including several transformers and
capacitors containing PCBs, both on land and in nearby
waters. The Coast Guard has since removed the PCB-containing transformers and capacitors, along with a
substantial amount of contaminated soil, but there is evidence that these chemicals have migrated into several
marine matrices, including fish and nearshore sediments, which concerns local natural resource managers and the
public.


9BP''
¦ MjiV' i&M
y

¦ JW j
W' 'V *'•
*

* 4


i. £
- -
"

Cocos Lagoon, Guam. (Photo courtesy of NOAA.)
8

-------
Fish and Shellfish Program newsletter
May 2019
Exposure to PCBs can lead to a range of toxic responses according to animal studies, including reduced growth,
reproductive impairment, and vertebral abnormalities. PCBs have also caused cancer in animals. In 2006, following
USCG-funded research that detected PCBs in fish, Guam agencies issued a fish consumption advisory for Cocos
Lagoon. In 2015, local natural resource managers asked NCCOS for help in assessing chemical contaminants in
sediments and fish to understand the extent of contamination in Cocos Lagoon.
What Is Being Done
In September of 2017, NCCOS scientists and their partners from the Guam EPA deployed polyethylene devices
(PEDs) in Cocos Lagoon. These PEDs remained in situ for approximately one month accumulating hydrophobic
organic compounds like PCBs present in the water column. The research team recovered the PEDs and is currently
analyzing them for a suite of organic chemical contaminants, including PCBs and the organochlorine pesticide DDT.
Benefits of the Work
Data generated from this study will fill the gap identified by previous NCCOS studies in the area. Previous studies
identified elevated levels of PCB s and DDT from the area. Sediment samples from the region were unable to give a
good spatial distribution of PCB and DDT concentrations, due to the coarse nature of the sediment not binding
organic contaminants well. In conjunction with the results from the previous study, the data products from this
study will help inform future management decisions about the lagoon by identifying spatially where PCB and other
chemical contaminants may be entering the environment.
Next Steps
The team is currently analyzing the PEDs deployed during the September 2017 field mission for a suite of organic
contaminants. Once completed, project data will be available online via the National Status and Trends database,
and will be synthesized, including statistical and geospatial analysis, in a technical memorandum.
For more information, contact Andrew Mason at Andrew.mason@noaa.gov.
Source: https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/proiect/chemical-contaminant-characterization-waters-surrounding-
cocos-island-guam-using-polvethvlene-devices/
Research Brief 293: Study Sheds Light on Breakdown of PCBs to
Potentially Harmful Metabolites in Humans
On May l, 2019, new research out of the University of Iowa Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center, identified
specific cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and underlying mechanisms involved in the breakdown, or metabolism,
of PCBs into compounds that may be more toxic. PCBs are a large and complex group of chemicals that often occur
in mixtures and can contaminate soil, groundwater, and air. Exposure to PCBs has been linked to a range of health
impacts, including metabolic diseases, developmental neurotoxicity, and cancer.
CYP enzymes play a role in metabolizing many different chemicals, including those that occur naturally within the
body, pharmaceuticals, and potentially harmful pollutants. While there are thousands of CYP enzymes, humans
have about 50 variants. Several larger classes of CYP enzymes, CYPiA, CYP2A, and CYP2B, are known to break
9

-------
Fish and Shellfish Program newsletter
May 2019
down some PCBs, but the process is not well studied. The team, led by Hans-Joachim Lehmler, Ph.D., and Eric
Uwimana, Ph.D., an Iowa SRP Center graduate student at the time, used a series of experiments to uncover more
information about this important process that has implications for how PCBs may harm human health.
Using Computers to Make Predictions
The team used computer-based methods to predict which CYP enzymes are most likely to be involved in
metabolizing PCBs into hydroxylated PCBs (OH-PCBs), wherein an oxygen atom is inserted at one of several
possible locations in the chemical structure. Previous studies have identified health effects of OH-PCBs, including
their potential toxicity to the developing brain. Looking at nine different forms of the CYP enzyme and four specific
PCB chemicals, the research team used two advanced computer software techniques to make predictions based on
information about the chemical structure and specific chemical reactions that may be involved in chemical
breakdown.
While the two computer approaches varied in their predictions, overall the software suggested that CYP1A2,
CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2E1, and CYP2A4 play a role in PCB metabolism. The authors note that CYP1A1 and CYP2B
enzymes tend to break down PCBs in animals, such as rodents. This information was used to inform their more
complex studies using human CYP enzymes and human liver microsomes, a specific part of the liver cell where PCB
breakdown is known to occur.
A Closer Look at CYP Enzymes
To confirm whether the predicted CYP enzymes play a role in the metabolism of PCBs to OH-PCBs in humans, the
team used human CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2E1, and CYP2A4 to test their metabolism of the same four PCB
chemicals used in the computer simulation.
They found that OH-PCBs were detected only in tests with CYP2A6, CYP2B6, and CYP2EA, indicating that the other
predicted CYP enzymes do not hydroxylate PCBs. According to the authors, the computer-based approach was
relatively poor at predicting the metabolism of PCBs, but it was able to identify some of the major CYP enzymes
involved.
Through these experiments, the team identified which OH-PCB metabolites were formed by each CYP enzyme and
their relative abundance for each PCB chemical. They also determined specific chemical reactions by which CYP
enzymes metabolized PCBs to OH-PCBs and where on the chemical structure the oxygen atom is incorporated.
In general, the authors reported that CYP2A6 played the largest role in the metabolism of PCBs to OH-PCBs,
followed by CYP2B6 and CYP2E1. They also identified differences in the underlying mechanisms of hydroxylation of
different PCBs by the same CYP enzyme and between the different CYP enzymes.
Preliminary Tests Using Human CYP Enzymes
To better understand how CYP2A6, CYP2B6, and CYP2EA contribute to PCB metabolism under more realistic
conditions, the team compared the OH-PCB profiles formed in the experiments with CYP enzymes with OH-PCB
profiles formed by human liver microsomes. Liver microsomes are the part of liver cells that contain mixtures of
CYP enzymes and, therefore, more accurately represent the complex metabolism of chemicals in the human liver.
10

-------
Fish and Shellfish Program newsletter
May 2019
While there was greater variability in these experiments, the team was able to identify which CYP enzymes are most
likely responsible for the formation of specific OH-PCBs. Similar to their findings in the previous experiments, their
results suggested that different CYP enzymes play a role in the formation of different OH-PCBs.
Overall, they reported that CYP2A6 is the primary enzyme involved in hydroxylating PCBs in human liver
microsomes, followed by smaller contributions from CYP2B6 and CYP2E1, The authors point out that this is
different from studies in rodents, where CYP2B enzymes play a larger role in PCB metabolism.
According to the authors, this study provides new insight into how PCBs are metabolized to potentially neurotoxic
OH-PCBs in humans and contributes supporting evidence for observed differences between OH-PCB profiles in
humans versus rodents. They suggest that future studies should include cutting-edge non-targeted metabolomic
approaches to better understand the complex PCB metabolites formed in living organisms.
For more information, contact Hans-Joachim Lehmler, Ph.D. at 319-335-4414 or hans-ioachim-
lehmler@uiowa.edu.
Source: https://connect.niehs.nih.g0v/srp/1/ResearchBriefs/PDFs/SRP ResearchBrief 2Q°, ¦~o8.pdf
Recently Awarded Research
FY19 Successful Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Applicants
On March 6, 2019, NOAA Fisheries announced recommendations
to fund five projects for almost $1.3 million under the 2019
Saltonstall-Kennedy Competitive Grants Program. The projects fall
into the three priority categories for 2019: Promotion,
Development, and Marketing; Marine Aquaculture; and Support of
Science that Maximizes Fishing Opportunities, Revenue, and Jobs
in U.S. Fisheries While Ensuring the Long-Term Sustainability of
Marine Resources.
The following is the list of recommended projects:
Harvesting oysters. (Photo courtesy of NOAA.)
Recommended Projects
Proposal Number
Applicant
Project Title
Funding Priority
Requested Federal
Share: Total
19AKR007-019
Alaska Fisheries
Development
Foundation
Alaska Mariculture Initiative - Phase 2
Marine Aquaculture
$287,680.00
19SER009-020
Florida Atlantic
University
Development of a Fishermen Operated Pilot-Scale
Queen Conch (Lobatus gigas) Hatchery and Nursery
Facility for Sustainable Seafood
Marine Aquaculture
$299,949.00
19WCR012-028
Wild Fish
Conservancy
Developing an Alternative Model for Sustainable
Commercial Salmon Fisheries of the Lower Columbia
River Sub-basin.
Promote, Development
and Marketing
$285,646.00
19GAR053-106
Ward Aquafarms,
LLC
Reducing risk for shellfish farmers through real-time,
automated, harmful algal bloom monitoring and
mitigation
Marine Aquaculture
$297,172.00
11

-------
Fish and Shellfish Program newsletter
May 2019
19PIR-005-018
Poseidon Fisheries
Research, LLC
Mark-recapture as a tool to assess Kona crab, Ranina,
post-release mortality and local population estimates
for the Main
Support of Science that
Maximizes Fishing
Opportunities, Revenue
and Jobs in
$91,189.00
At the announcement phase in the selection process, application approval and obligation was not final. Final
approval is subject to funding availability as well as final review and approval by both NO A A Grants Management
Division and Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Law Division.
Source: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/content/fviQ-successful-saltonstall-kennedv-grant-applicants
Tech and Tools
Louisiana DEQ Releases a Fish Consumption and Swimming
Advisories Interactive Map
Louisiana now has their Interactive Fish Consumption and Swimming Advisories Map. Click on any fish icon to
view information such as advisory type, meal recommendations, and issue date for each area. As the user zooms
into the map, a waterbody layer will appear showing the larger streams and lakes. The legend panel expands using
the toggle button (top left corner). Use the search tool (top right corner) to quickly locate an area of interest (e.g., a
specific lake or river).
As mentioned in the October 2018 EPA Fish and
Shellfish Newsletter, the Louisiana Departments of
Health, Environmental Quality, and Wildlife and
Fisheries issued a series of fish consumption advisories
for nine bodies of water. Information about these
advisories, as well as any changes up to February 2019,
are available on the Interactive Fish Consumption and
Swimming Advisories Map.
For more information regarding mercury and other fish
consumption advisories, visit
www.ldh.la.gov/EatSafeFish or contact the LDH hotline
at 1-888-293-7020 or call the LDEQ at (225) 219-3189.
Source: https://deq.louisiana,gov7page/fishing-consumption-and-swimming-advisories
£ 4
V
	 "•"£
t
NmOriearo
U5051 an MERE.	FAO »«OA*. L
Hiflj
Louisiana DEQ Fish Advisory Map. (Photo courtesy of Louisiana DEQ.)
12

-------
Fish and Shellfish Program newsletter
May 2019
Recent Publications
Journal Articles
The list below provides a selection of research articles focusing on dioxins and PCBs.
~	Dietary exposure to polvchlorinated biphenvls and risk of heart failure - A population-based prospective cohort study
Akesson, A., C. Donat-Vargas, M. Berglund, A. Glynn, A. Wolk, and M. Kippler. 2019. Dietary Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls
and Risk of Heart Failure - A Population-based Prospective Cohort Study Environment International 126: 1-6.
~	Food safety using NMR-based metabolomics: Assessment of the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. Thunnus Thvnnus. from the Mediterranean Sea
Cappello, T., A. Giannetto, V. Parrino, G. De Marco, A. Mauceri, and M. Maisano. 2018. Food safety using NMR-based
metabolomics: Assessment of the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus Thynnus, from the Mediterranean Sea. Food and Chemical
Toxicology 115: 391-97.
~	Altered lipid homeostasis in a PCB-resistant Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus population from New Bedford Harbor. MA. U.S.A.
Crawford, K.A., B.W. Clark, W.J. Heiger-Bernays, S.I. Karchner, B.G. Claus Henn, K.N. Griffith, B.L. Howes, D.R. Schlezinger, M.E.
Hahn, D.E. Nacci, and J.J. Schlezinger. 2019. Altered Lipid Homeostasis in a PCB-resistant Atlantic Killifish (Fundulus Heteroclitus)
Population from New Bedford Harbor, MA, U.S.A. Aquatic Toxicology 210: 30-43.
~	A relationship between environmental pollutants and enteric viruses in mussels (MvtHus ^alloorovlnclallS
Fiorito, F., M.G. Amoroso, S. Lambiase, F.P. Serpe, T. Bruno, A. Scaramuzzo, P. Maglio, G. Fusco, and M. Esposito. 2019. A
Relationship between Environmental Pollutants and Enteric Viruses in Mussels (Mytilus Galloprovincialis). Environmental
Research 169: 156-62.
~	Dioxins in Great Lakes fish: Past, present and implications for future monitoring
Gandhi, N., S.B. Gewurtz, K.G. Drouillard, T. Kolic, K. Macpherson, E.J. Reiner, and S.P. Bhavsar. 2019. Dioxins in Great Lakes Fish:
Past, Present and Implications for Future Monitoring. Chemosphere 222: 479-88.
~	Trends of polvchlorinated dioxins. polvchlorinated furans. and dioxin-like polvchlorinated biphenvls in Chinook and Coho salmonid eggs from a
Great Lakes tributary
Garner, A.J., and J,J. Pagano. 2019. Trends of Polychlorinated Dioxins, Polychlorinated Furans, and Dioxin-like Polychlorinated
Biphenyls in Chinook and Coho Salmonid Eggs from a Great Lakes Tributary. Environmental Pollution 247: 1039-045.
~	Hepatic metabolite profiling of polvchlorinated biphenvl (PCB)-resistantand sensitive populations of Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus
Glazer, L, M.C. KidoSoule, K. Longnecker, E.B. Kujawinski, and N. Aluru. 2018. Hepatic Metabolite Profiling of Polychlorinated
Biphenyl (PCB)-resistant and Sensitive Populations of Atlantic Killifish (Fundulus Heteroclitus). Aquatic Toxicology 205: 114-22.
~	Sex-specific alterations of lipid metabolism in zebrafish exposed to polvchlorinated biphenvls
Li, D., Y. Huang, S. Gao, L. Chen, M. Zhang, and Z. Du. 2019. Sex-specific alterations of lipid metabolism in Zebrafish exposed to
polychlorinated biphenyls. Chemosphere 221: 768-77.
~	Studies on the influence of sampling on the levels of dioxins and PCB in fish
Luth, A., M. Lahrssen-Wiederholt, and H. Karl. 2018. Studies on the influence of sampling on the levels of dioxins and PCB in
fish. Chemosphere 212: 1133-141.
~	Dietary exposure to PCBs by seafood cooking method: A Korean study
Moon, H., D. Kim, and J. Oh. 2019. Dietary exposure to PCBs by seafood cooking method: A Korean study. Chemosphere 215:
775-82.
13

-------
Fish and Shellfish Program newsletter
May 2019
~	Polvchlorinated biphenvl (PCB) contamination in Galveston Bay. Texas: Comparing concentrations and profiles in sediments, passive samplers,
and fish
Oziolor, E.M., J.N. Apell, Z.C. Winfield, J .A. Back, S. Usenko, and C.W. Matson. 2018. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination
in Galveston Bay, Texas: Comparing concentrations and profiles in sediments, passive samplers, and fish. Environmental Pollution
236: 609-18.
~	Patterns of PCB exposure among Akwesasne adolescents: TTie role of dietary and inhalation pathways
Ravenscroft, J., and L.M. Schell. 2018. Patterns of PCB exposure among Akwesasne adolescents: The role of dietary and
inhalation pathways. Environment International 121: 963-72.
~	Threats of indicator polvchlorinated biphenvls (PCBs) in six molluscs from market to food safety: A case study in Haikou Citv. China
Yang, L, Z. Hu, and F. Yan. 2019. Threats of indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in six molluscs from market to food safety:
A case study in Haikou City, China. Marine Pollution Bulletin 138: 187-92.
Upcoming Meetings and Conferences
2019 Gulf and South Atlantic Shellfish Conference
August 4-7, 2019
Savannah, Georgia
International Conference on Molluscan Shellfish Safety
September 13, 2019
Ensenada, Baja California
American Fisheries Society & The Wildlife Society 2019 Joint
Annual Conference
September 29 - October 3, 2019
Reno, Nevada
Organization of Fish and Wildlife Information Managers
Annual Conference
October 6-10, 2019
Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Additional Information
This monthly newsletter highlights current information about fish and shellfish.
For more information about specific advisories within the state, territory, or tribe, contact the appropriate
state agency listed on EPA's National Listing of Fish Advisories website at https://fishadvisorvonline.epa.gov/Contacts.aspx.
For more information about this newsletter, contact Sharon Frey (Frev.Sharon@epa.gov. 202-566-1480).
Additional information about advisories and fish and shellfish consumption can be found at https://www.epa.gov/fish-tech.
14

-------