vvEPA

United States
Environmental Protection
Agency

Fish and Shellfish Program

NEWSLETTER

January 2022
EPA 823N22001

In This Issue

Recent Advisory News	1

EPA News							4

Other News	7

Recently Awarded Research.,.. 9

Tech and Tools	12

Recent Publications	15

Upcoming Meetings and
Conferences	16

This newsletter provides information
only. This newsletter does not
impose legally binding requirements
on the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), states,
tribes, other regulatory authorities,
orthe regulated community. Hie
Office of Science and Technology,
Office of Water, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency has approved this
newsletterfor publication. Mention
of trade names, products, or
services does not convey and should
not be interpreted as conveying
official EPA approval, endorsement,
or recommendation for use.

https://www.epa.gov/fish-tech

Recent Advisory News

Fish Advisory for Los Banos Reservoir Offers Safe
Eating Advice for Four Fish Species

On December 7, 2021, the California Environmental Protection Agency's Office of
Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) issued a state fish advisory for Los
Banos Reservoir in Merced Count} . This state fish advisory provides safe eating advice for
black bass species, Common Carp, sunfish species, and Thread fin Shad.

Los Banos Reservoir is located approximately 33 miles southwest of Merced. The
California Environmental Protection Agency's OEHHA developed the recommendations
based on the levels of mercury found in fish caught from the reservoir.

"Many fish have nutrients that may reduce the risk of heart disease and are excellent
sources of protein," said Dr. Lauren Zeise, director of OEHHA. "By following our
guidelines for fish caught in Los Banos Reservoir, people can safely eat fish low in
chemical contaminants and enjoy the well-known health benefits of fish consumption."

When consuming fish from Los Banos Reservoir, the following advice is issued:

•	Women ages 18 - 49 and children ages 1-17 should not eat black bass species.
They may safely eat a maximum of one total serving per week of Common Carp,
sunfish species or Threadfin Shad.

•	Women ages 50 and older and men ages 18 and older may safely eat a maximum
of three total servings per week of sunfish species or Threadfin Shad, or two total
servings per week of Common Carp, or one total serving per week of black bass
species.

OEHHA's fish advisory recommendations are based on the levels of contaminants, such as
mercury, that persist in the environment and accumulate in fish. They are independent of
any advisories to limit fish intake due to freshwater or estuarine harmful algal blooms
(HABs). Before fishing, OEHHA recommends checking the California HABs Portal to see
if there are HAB advisories and practicing healthy water habits.

This newsletter provides a monthly summary of news about fish and shellfish

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One serving is an eight-ounce fish fillet, measured prior to cooking, which is roughly the size and thickness of a
hand. Children should eat smaller servings. For small fish species, several individual fish may make up a single
serving.

A poster with the safe eating advice for Los Banos Reservoir is available on OEHHA's website in both English and
Spanish. For fish species found in Los Banos Reservoir that are not included in this advisory, OEHHA recommends
following the statewide advisory for eating fish from California lakes and reservoirs without site-specific advice.

Mercury is released into the environment from mining and burning coal. It accumulates in fish in the form of
methylmercury, which can damage the brain and nervous system, especially in developing children and fetuses.
Because of this, OEHHA provides a separate set of recommendations specifically for children up to age 17 and
women of childbearing age (18 - 49 years).

Eating fish in amounts slightly greater than the advisory's recommendations is not likely to cause health problems if
it is done only occasionally, such as eating fish caught during an annual vacation.

The Los Banos Reservoir advisory joins more than 100 other OEHHA advisories that provide site-specific, health-
based fish consumption advice for many of the places where people catch and eat fish in California, including lakes,
rivers, bays, reservoirs, and the California coast. Advisories are available on OEHHA's Fish Advisories web page.

For more information, contact Susan Klasing at susan.klasing@oehh.ca.gov.

Source: https://oehha.ca.gov/fish/press-release/press-release-fish/fish-advisorv-los-banos-reservoir-offers-safe-
eating-advice

Massachusetts Department of Public Health Issues Fish
Consumption Advisories for Five Cape Cod Waterbodies

On November 2, 2021, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) issued new fish consumption
advisories to provide guidance on safe fish consumption to people who catch and consume freshwater game fish
from five waterbodies on Cape Cod. Recent testing of fish from these locations found levels of per- and
polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) above DPH-recommended levels for regular consumption.

During recent testing on Cape Cod, DPH tested surface water in 16 waterbodies and fish in 5 waterbodies. Elevated
levels of PFAS were detected in fish that were sampled from Johns Pond in Mashpee, Flax Pond (Picture Lake) in
Bourne, Jenkins and Grews Ponds in Falmouth, and Mashpee-Wakeby Pond in Mashpee and Sandwich, prompting
the five new fish consumption advisories. PFAS was not found at levels that would be unsafe for swimming or
recreational activities in any of the 16 waterbodies tested. In addition to the waterbodies mentioned above, surface
water was found to be safe in Shubael Pond (Barnstable); Hen Cove and Squeteague Harbor in Bourne; Crooked,
Mares, Flax, and Round Ponds in Falmouth; Santuit Pond in Mashpee; and Peter's, Snake, and Triangle Ponds in
Sandwich.

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PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals manufactured and used in a variety of consumer products and industries
throughout the world. Based on studies of laboratory animals and people, exposure to certain PFAS has been
associated with changes in liver and kidney function, changes in thyroid hormone and cholesterol levels, and
immune system effects. In addition, PFAS exposure has been shown to cause developmental effects to fetuses
during pregnancy. Some studies also suggest an increased risk of developing cancer following long-term exposures
to elevated levels of some PFAS.

DPH tested fish and surface water in these waterbodies because they are located on or near Joint Base Cape Cod
where historical PFAS contamination has been found in the groundwater and surface water, and because they are
popular locations for swimming and fishing. This contamination is being remediated by the United States Air Force,
with oversight by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which have been investigating and overseeing the cleanup of
contamination associated with Joint Base Cape Cod - a federal Superfund site - for several years.

These fish consumption advisories apply to the consumption of all native game fish but do not apply to stocked
trout at a waterbody. Stocked fish are raised in fish hatcheries and then released. Therefore, they are unlikely to
spend enough time in a lake or pond to become contaminated. As part of the Administration's commitment to
investigating and eliminating sources of PFAS contamination and exposure to residents of the Commonwealth, both
DPH and MassDEP have conducted testing for PFAS in drinking water, groundwater, and surface water. Drinking
water results received from public water systems in the area do not indicate PFAS is a concern in the drinking
water. Ongoing oversight by MassDEP requires testing of public drinking water for PFAS, and MassDEP works with
public water systems to ensure delivered drinking water meets the Massachusetts drinking water regulatory
standard. MassDEP is also assisting with sampling of private wells and has conducted sampling of lakes, ponds, and
rivers for PFAS at selected locations across Massachusetts.

The fish consumption advisories for the five waterbodies include guidance on the amount of fish that can be safely
consumed from each individual location, which varies depending on the levels of PFAS found in the fish, other
contaminants that have been evaluated in the past, and who might consume the fish. The advisories were developed
for sensitive populations (including children under 12, women who are or may become pregnant, and nursing
mothers) and for all others in the general population. Because the new fish consumption advisories are different for
each waterbody, recommendations range from consuming one meal per week to no fish consumption.

The Massachusetts DPH is working with local health departments in Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, and Sandwich as
well as the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe requesting that they post notices at the five waterbodies and publicize
information for residents of the area.

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Additional information about the fish consumption advisories and PFAS is available at PFAS Fish Advisories
Supportinu Information and PFAS (Per- and Polvfluoroalkvl Substances') in Recreationallv Caught Fish.

More information about PFAS from Massachusetts: Per- and Polvfluoroalkvl Substances (PFAS).

For more information, contact Marc Nascarella at Marc.Nascarella@state.ma.us.

Source: https://www.mass.gov/news/department-of-public-health-issues-fish-consumption-advisories-for-five-
cape-cod-waterbodies

EPA News

EPA Announces $34 Million in Puget Sound Funding

National Estuary Program provides funds for state, local, tribal, and federal projects

On December 16, 2021, the Northwest office of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
announced that it is providing over $34 million in grant funds to state, local, tribal, and federal partners for Puget
Sound recovery and conservation efforts.

"Puget Sound is a national treasure with profound economic and cultural significance," said EPA Administrator
Michael S. Regan. "These funds help build stronger partnerships and deliver results that are much-needed fuel for
recovery of Puget Sound and the communities that depend on it. In addition to these grant funds, the $89 million
slated for Puget Sound in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will accelerate this progress to secure tangible, concrete
protections that will benefit local communities for generations."

These National Estuary Program funds support development and implementation of the Puget Sound Action
Agenda - the five-year strategy for Puget Sound recovery - and work to meet tribal trust responsibilities and treaty
obligations. These grants fund a diversity of work spanning from habitat protection, to finding and fixing sources of
pollution, to cutting edge stormwater research, to tribal salmon restoration projects.

Recipients include three tribal consortia, 19 federally recognized tribes, the Northwest Indian Fisheries
Commission, Washington's Department of Ecology, Department of Health, Department of Fish and Wildlife,
Department of Natural Resources, and Department of Commerce, the Puget Sound Partnership, Washington State
University's Stormwater Center, and the University of Washington's Puget Sound Institute.

Since 2006, Congress has appropriated $419 million in Clean Water Act and geographic program funds for Puget
Sound that EPA has used to help restore more than 50,000 acres of habitat and protect in excess of 150,000 acres
of harvestable shellfish beds. These federal funds have leveraged nearly $2.1 billion of additional funds largely from
the state of Washington.

In addition to providing grants, EPA experts partner with and provide their scientific and policy expertise to local,
state, and tribal governments, industry, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and are involved in scientific

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research and restoration projects throughout the Puget Sound basin. The EPA Puget Sound Program also co-leads
the Puget Sound Federal Task Force that works to coordinate federal programs and resources to support Puget
Sound Recovery. To learn more about this inter-agency effort, see the recently posted November 2021 Progress
Report.

Encompassing 8 million acres of rivers, bays, beaches and shorelines, the Puget Sound basin serves as an economic
and cultural hub for the region's more than 4.7 million people, including 19 federally recognized tribes.

For more information, contact Bill Dunbar at dunbar.bill@epa.gov or Suzanne Skadowski at
skadowski.suzanne@epa.gov.

Source: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-^4-million-puget-sound-funding

EPA Grants Petition to Order Testing on Human Health Hazards of
PFAS

On December 28, 2021, as a part of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s efforts to address
the human health and ecological risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the Agency announced it was
granting a petition from six North Carolina (NC) public health and environmental justice organizations to compel
companies to conduct testing of certain PFAS.

This action advances the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to improve understanding of, and to protect
people from, the potential risks of PFAS. The petitioners' request that EPA leverage its authorities to compel
development of much needed new information on PFAS underscored the need for robust testing on PFAS, and
played a key role in advancing the Agency's plans for a National PFAS Testing Strategy, a pillar of the agency's PFAS
Strategic Roadmap that will lead to improved health protections for all communities.

"Communities in North Carolina and across the country deserve to know the potential risks that exposure to PFAS
pose to families and children," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "By taking action on this petition, EPA
will have a better understanding of the risks from PFAS pollution so we can do more to protect people. This data
will also help us identify the sources of pollution so we can hold those accountable for endangering the public. EPA
is fully committed to addressing this longstanding pollution challenge, and today we take another critical step
forward to protect the water, air, and land we all depend on."

EPA plans to require PFAS manufacturers to provide the agency with toxicity data and information on categories of
PFAS. EPA expects to exercise its Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 4 order authority to require
recipients of test orders to conduct and fund the studies. The information gathered as a result of this testing will
help EPA deepen its understanding of the impacts of PFAS, including potential hazards. As the agency learns more
about the impacts of PFAS, EPA will continue to take action to protect human health and the environment.

In October 2020, the Center for Environmental Health, Cape Fear River Watch, Clean Cape Fear, Democracy
Green, Toxic Free NC, and the NC Black Alliance submitted a petition asking EPA to require health and

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environmental impact testing on 54 chemical substances that the petition identifies as PFAS manufactured by The
Chemours Company in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The previous Administration denied this petition in January
2021, and the petitioners requested that the Agency reconsider its denial in March 2021, which EPA agreed to do in
September 2021, in light of the change in administration and in policy priorities concerning PFAS.

In October 2021, EPA announced a National PFAS Testing Strategy which identifies priority substances for the first
of several described phases of an iterative testing approach based on grouping of chemicals by chemistry features
and available toxicity data. These substances include many of the chemicals identified in the petition, but also
additional PFAS which will inform a wider universe of categories of PFAS where key data is lacking. For example,
the first phase of testing on 24 PFAS is expected to provide data that can be extrapolated to 2,950 PFAS that belong
to the same categories as the 24 individual substances.

EPA has granted the petition and will exercise its TSCA authorities to compel development of information on PFAS.
In summary:

•	Near-Term Testing Covers 30 of 54 Petition Chemicals - Under the Testing Strategy, EPA's first
test orders for 24 categories of PFAS about which the least is known will provide human health hazard data
that cover 30 of the 54 petition chemicals.

•	Subsequent Testing May Cover Nine of 54 Petition Chemicals — An additional nine PFAS
identified in the petition belong to one other category included in the Testing Strategy. EPA is conducting
more in-depth analyses of the sufficiency of the existing data, which will inform later phases of testing.

•	Remaining 15 of 54 Petition Chemicals — 15 chemicals identified in the petition do not fit the
definition of PFAS used in developing the Testing Strategy. EPA has determined that there is robust data on
some of them available to the Agency. EPA is conducting more in-depth analyses of the existing data, which
will inform later phases of testing.

•	Mixtures Studies — EPA will address PFAS mixtures by using the toxicity of the individual substances to
predict the toxicity of the mixture, an approach which is consistent with the current state-of-science on
PFAS. EPA is proceeding with development and peer review of these methods as specifically applied to
PFAS.

•	Human Studies — EPA is contributing to and reviewing numerous existing ongoing human studies,
including studies on potentially exposed workers and communities in North Carolina, and is evaluating
how to further advance and expand on these efforts. These include studies of health outcomes for people in
communities impacted by industrial PFAS releases, as well studies that explore the connection between
chronic health outcomes and PFAS exposures in North Carolina.

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•	Analytical Standards - EPA does not believe it is appropriate to require the development or submission
of analytical standards with the initial test orders that will be issued under the Testing Strategy and lacks
the ability to order the submission of all analytical standards in the manner requested. Nonetheless, EPA
has requested comment on whether to require the submission of existing analytical methods for PFAS
under a separate rulemaking that the Agency expects to finalize next year.

EPA will also continue to work to address ongoing PFAS contamination through the actions outlined in the PFAS
Strategic Road map.

For more information, contact press@epa.gov.

Source: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-grants-petition-order-testing-human-health-hazards-pfas

Other News

Oregon Habitat Restoration Project Supports Millions of Dollars in
Community and Economic Benefits

The Southern Flow Corridor project restored habitat for salmon while also supporting jobs, property values,
and nearly $15 million in economic output

On December 20, 2021, a report was released highlighting
the socioeconomic benefits of a National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-supported effort to
restore habitat for threatened salmon and reduce
community flooding in Tillamook, Oregon. According to
the report, the landscape-scale Southern Flow Corridor
project has supported $14.6 million in economic output,
increased the value of nearby homes, improved local water
quality, and more. The report was produced by researchers
at Oregon State University.

Through the Southern Flow Corridor project, NOAA and
partners restored tidal wetlands to provide habitat for
salmon and reduce flooding in the town of Tillamook. The project created 443 acres of wetlands and opened 13
miles of tidal channels to migratory fish such as chum, Chinook, and threatened Oregon Coast coho salmon. It also
reduced flooding to 4,800 acres of the surrounding community.

The researchers found that, in addition to creating habitat and reducing flooding, the project provided a multitude
of other benefits. These include:

•	Supporting 108 jobs and $14.6 million in total economic output in Oregon.

After growing in estuaries and migrating to the ocean, coho salmon
return back to streams to spawn. (Photo courtesy of Bureau of Land
Management}

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•	Increasing the value of homes in nearby residential areas by 10 percent, with an average benefit of $19,000
per home.

•	Reducing flooding on Highway 101, a major transportation corridor. Fewer highway closures would save
approximately $7,200 in travel costs per flooding event.

•	Improving water quality by decreasing the amount of sediment that accumulates in Tillamook Bay. Less
sediment would decrease the amount of dredging needed to maintain shipping lanes, saving approximately
$1,500 to $8,000 per year.

•	Storing 27,000 tons of coastal blue carbon. The estimated value of this carbon storage ranges from
$530,000 to $736,000.

By helping to increase the abundance of salmon in Tillamook Bay, the project is also expected to produce significant
recreational fishing benefits. The publicly accessible project site also provides opportunities for activities such as
hiking, kayaking, wildlife viewing, and a dog park.

The report was funded by the Office of Habitat Conservation, with technical support from its Restoration Center.
NOAA's partners on the Southern Flow Corridor project included the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA), Tillamook County, Tillamook Estuary Partnership, local landowners, and many others.

For more information, contact Office of Habitat Conservation at (301) 427-8600 or visit
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/office-habitat-conservation.

Source: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-storv/oregon-habitat-restoration-proiect-supports-millions-
dollars-community-and-economi c

High Heat, Low Tide Likely Triggering Spike in Shellfish-Linked
Infections

On July 16, 2021, the Washington Department of Health (DOH) reported an outbreak of vibriosis in Washington
State that has already surpassed the highest number of cases ever recorded by the state for the month of July.
Recent high temperatures and low tides in Washington State are likely to blame for the increased rate of illness,
which is associated with eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters that are contaminated with Vibrio.

Found naturally in the environment, Vibrio bacteria thrive in warm temperatures. When midday low tides coincide
with warm weather, Vibrio bacteria can grow quickly, increasing risk of illness among people who eat raw or
undercooked oysters.

Vibriosis symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, and chills. The illness
usually occurs 4 hours to 4 days after eating contaminated shellfish, with mild or moderate symptoms that typically
run its course in 2 to 3 days. Most people get sick within one day of consuming raw or undercooked shellfish.

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People with weakened immune systems or liver disease are at higher risk for Vibrio infections. These people, and
anyone who wants to avoid illness, should eat only thoroughly cooked shellfish.

"Another effect of the recent heat wave is the perfect storm of conditions for Vibrio infections. It's important that
when enjoying shellfish, we follow simple steps to stay healthy," said Todd Phillips, Director of the Office of
Environmental Health and Safety.

The Three Cs can prevent illness from Vibrio:

•	Cook at 1450 F for 15 seconds to destroy Vibrio bacteria.

•	Check the DOH Shellfish Safety Map before heading to the beach to harvest shellfish recreationally.
Shellfish gathered from open and approved areas should be harvested as the tide goes out.

•	Chill quickly. Bring a cooler with ice with you when harvesting shellfish recreationally or purchasing for a
store or seafood stand (or have them packed on ice). Oysters should be put on ice or refrigerated as soon as
possible.

When preparing shellfish, people should wash hands frequently and not return cooked shellfish to the plate or
cutting board where raw shellfish was prepared.

Visit the Washington DOH Vibriosis web page for more information.

For more information, contact Teresa McCallion at teresa.mccallion@doh.wa.gov.

Source: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/Articles/ID/2867/High-heat-low-tide-likelv-triggering-spike-in-
shellfish-linked-infections

Recently Awarded Research

Sea Grant Announces $2 Million in Support of 2021 American
Lobster Initiative Efforts

On October 28, 2021, Sea Grant announced $2 million in support of the Sea Grant American Lobster Initiative to
address scientific and stakeholder needs associated with this important fishery.

This is Sea Grant's third year of research and extension funding to address critical gaps in knowledge about how
American lobster is being impacted by environmental change in the Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, and southern
New England. The focus of this work is based on specific wording in Sea Grant's fiscal year 2021 appropriations
language.

One of the most iconic modern American fisheries, the American lobster (Homarus americamis) also represents
one of the largest and most valuable single-species fisheries along the Atlantic coast. The landing value of the

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American lobster fishery was estimated at $524.5 million in 2020. However, ecosystem shifts, food web changes
and ocean acidification all present threats to the American lobster fishery in the Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, and
southern New England. While lobster landings continue to remain above historical averages, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries data showed a 19 percent decline in pounds of American lobster
landed in 2020 from data collected in 2018.

This year's funding will support Sea Grant's Northeast Regional Lobster Extension Program in Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Rhode Island in addition to supporting continuing efforts for three
research projects initially funded in 2020 and six new research projects for 2021.

The six, new extramural research projects being funded at $1.4 million in 2021 encourage research partnerships
between state agencies, academia, and industry to examine impacts from environmental change on the American
lobster and its fishery. Chosen through a competitive process that included review by subject matter experts, the
projects will be conducted by researchers across the Northeast region, and they will address one or more of the
following priorities:

1.	Life history parameters, including but not limited to impacts of ocean acidification;

2.	Distribution and abundance, including but not limited to ecosystem shifts; and

3.	Species interactions.

In fiscal year 2019, the National Sea Grant Office launched the American Lobster Initiative to support two
connected efforts, a national research competition and a Northeast Regional Lobster Extension Program. The
extension program, designed to work with communities, is a four-year program that links lobster research with
stakeholders who need and can use the results—the lobster fishing industry, resource managers, and others across
the region. The American Lobster Initiative was informed by listening sessions with regional fishing industry
stakeholders, state and federal fisheries managers, and university, state, and federal fisheries researchers. The
American Lobster Research Program funded seven projects in fiscal year 2019 and nine projects in fiscal year 2020.

An ecosystem-based approach to American lobster habitat and trophic dynamics: Integrated modeling to
evaluate climate-related impacts

University of Maine, Principal Investigator Brady - $399,036

This study will expand the decades-long work of modeling larval American lobster transport to include dynamics
associated with prey availability. The project will use an existing Larval Transport Model to project the spatio-
temporal distribution of lobster larvae and link the output to trends in the boreal calanoid copepod's (Calanus
finmarchicus) distribution and abundance and availability of recruitable habitats. Climate-induced changes in
water masses that control the rate of warming in the Gulf of Maine, circulation patterns, spatial and temporal
dynamics in spawning lobster distributions, and development time of larvae synergistically impact the timing of
these species in the water column and may act to intensify the disconnect between larvae and their optimal food
source. Through the team's work with the Maine Department of Marine Resources, Maine Lobsterman's
Association, and the Lobster Institute, the study will build a flexible ecosystem-based early life history model
capable of answering fundamental questions from industry members and stakeholders regarding changes in ocean
conditions, larval distribution, and their relationships to their food supply.

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Answering an industry question, "Who's eating juvenile lobsters?": An evaluation of lobster predation in
the Gulf of Maine using stomach content analysis

Maine Department of Marine Resources, Principal Investigator Peters - $128,880

The Maine Department of Marine Resources and the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries are partnering to
understand what current and new predators of American lobsters exist in the Gulf of Maine, especially as it pertains
to juvenile lobsters. To answer this question, they will use current surveys to collect stomachs from five species that
have recently shown to be preying on lobster: Atlantic cod, white hake, red hake, Atlantic halibut, and Atlantic
mackerel, and from two emerging species: black sea bass and striped bass. This team of researchers, state agency
scientists, and industry members will share results with federal research partners, members of the lobster industry,
and students across Maine. The research will provide data on potential lobster predators and allow managers to use
these data to update current single-species American lobster assessments and work on ecosystem models for the
Gulf of Maine.

Connecting the dots: Environmental drivers of egg production and stability in ovigerous American lobsters
in the Gulf of Maine

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, Principal Investigator Goldstein - $134,489

A key goal of this work is to evaluate the overall health and quality of
ovigerous American lobsters with respect to their egg prod uction and
examine how environmental drivers of climate change in the Gulf of
Maine maybe impacting this key life history phase. This work will
address: 1) why ovigerous lobster egg clutch sizes have declined and
to what extent this limits egg production; 2) what factors have
contributed the most to declines in egg production; and 3) what
impact temperature, maternal history, and size have on egg

production and viability. The data obtained from this project will be An,ar!cnil Lobster (Photo courtesyofN0M Fisheries)
used to inform future stock assessments and lay the groundwork for

long-term monitoring programs that include the linkages between ovigerous lobster health and climate change.
Stakeholder engagement and outreach will serve to connect these findings with the commercial lobster fishery,
fisheries managers, students, and the public through data sharing, presentations, artistic visualization, and
opportunities for student learning and experience.

Evaluating Impacts of changing life history parameters on the American lobster stock dynamics under
different management regulations in a warming Northeastern US

Stony Brook University, Principal Investigator Chen - $270,394

The overarching objective of this project is to develop and conduct a simulation study to evaluate the impacts of
possible climate-induced changes in American lobster life history parameters and alternative management
regulations on the lobster population dynamics. The simulation framework will consist of the Individual-based
Lobster Simulator, conditioned based on information derived in the latest stock assessments. The project will 1)
develop a research collaborative team to help identify "what if scenarios for simulating realistic ranges of changes
in key life history parameters for Gulf of Maine and southern New England stocks; 2) develop a simulation
framework for predicting the response of lobster stocks to changing life history parameters; 3) evaluate impacts of

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increasing temperatures on lobster stocks given status quo management; and 4) compare the performance of
different management regulations in a changing climate.

Investigating the ecological impacts of range-expanding species to the American lobster fishery using
collaborative surveys, fisher observations, and predator-prey experiments

Northeastern University, Principal Investigator Grabowski - $305,796

As a consequence of climate change, range-expanding species such as black sea bass and blue crabs are entering
southern New England and the Gulf of Maine. Yet many questions about these species' distributions in their newly
expanded ranges and their effects on the American lobster fishery remain unanswered. This study will answer
questions about range-expanding species, such as, how prevalent they are in the Gulf of Maine, which coastal New
England habitats and depths they prefer, and if they overlap with and consume critical life-history stages of the
American lobster, such as early post-settlement and larger juveniles. Answering these critical questions will help
evaluate the degree to which novel species range expansions are a potential threat to the American lobster fishery.
The collaborative team that will collectively answer these questions includes university researchers, nonprofits,
industry organizations, state resource agencies, and lobster fishers.

The influence of season and temperature on the distribution and abundance of juvenile lobsters assessed
via traditional ventless and novel early benthic phase traps

New Hampshire Fish and Game, Principal Investigator Carloni - $160,412

One of the major goals of this project will be to design and test a trap that effectively samples early benthic phase
lobsters, an understudied segment of the American lobster population whose changes in abundance could give an
early warning to potential changes in landings. Once this novel trap has been tested and calibrated it will be used in
conjunction with SCUBA surveys and traditional ventless traps to explore the relationship between lobster density,
temperature and catch. Further, the project seeks to better understand the degree to which ventless traps accurately
reflect the size structure of the sublegal lobster population, and whether smaller lobsters may be excluded due to
intraspecific competition. The data obtained from this project will be used to inform future stock assessments and
lay the groundwork for a long-term monitoring program that includes early benthic phase lobsters and the linkages
between each life history phase of the American lobster.

Source: https://seagrant.noaa.go\ /Ne\vs/ArticJe/ArtMID/i66o/ArticleID/288c;/Sea-Grant-announces-2-million-
in-support-of-2021-American-Lobster-initiative-efforts

Tech and Tools
Citizen Science at EPA

Engaging the Public in Environmental Protection

Citizen science is an expansive field where the public contributes to scientific knowledge and understanding. A
variety of terms are used to describe this valuable work including community science, volunteer monitoring,
and public participation in scientific research.

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Fish and Shellfish Program newsletter

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This StorvMap is about EPA's involvement in citizen science. The projects highlighted here support environmental
monitoring. Many feature collaborations with communities with environmental justice concerns, as well as
initiatives with states and tribal sovereign nations.

Community leaders, scientists, educators, students, and others can use this StoryMap to learn more about the range
of environmental citizen science projects across the country and the resources that EPA provides to help with these
projects.

Where is citizen science happening?

Across the United States and around the world, people are collecting and using citizen science data that provides
information on a wide range of environmental issues. Citizen science projects are driven by rapid
advancements in technology and growing awareness of issues that are of personal interest to individuals,
families, and communities.

What is the value of citizen science in environmental protection?

Citizen science offers new ways to gather information and build collaborations among government agencies,
scientific organizations, and the public.

By increasing accountability, transparency, and public participation, citizen science can benefit the American public
and society by:

•	Filling data gaps and provide other means of identifying environmental problems.

•	Improving public understanding of environmental issues and actions that address them.

•	Creating a stronger, more inclusive, and collaborative network of individuals and organizations
dedicated to solving environmental problems.

•	Yielding cost savings and efficiencies in environmental monitoring and protection programs.

EPA is working towards a future where the public is increasingly involved in scientific data collection used in
environmental protection. Over time, citizen science data are expected to be of higher quality, more accessible, and
more useful in environmental decision making.

EPA-supported citizen science projects across the U.S.

EPA partners with states, tribes, schools, local governments, non-governmental organizations, community groups,
and others to engage the public in expanding our knowledge and understanding of environmental science.

Most EPA citizen science activities are conducted by external organizations with EPA support such
as funding, training, and technical advice on study design and data management. For many years, EPA has worked
with partners on volunteer water monitoring. New citizen science activities are now emerging for other areas such
as air pollution monitoring, communities with environmental justice concerns, and environmental education
programs.

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The following are examples of water quality and/or fish and shellfish EPA-funded citizen science projects.
Microplastics in Sitka Tribal Foods

The Sitka Tribe of Alaska investigated microplastic content in traditional subsistence foods. Through EPA
Environmental Justice Small Grant funding, local scientists led students from Mt. Edgecumbe (mostly tribal youth)
to test for microplastic presence in shellfish. Afterward, students helped present their findings to the community
and raised awareness of causes of microplastics in food.

Mercury in Penobscot Traditional Food Systems

Within Oldtown, Maine, EPA researchers and partners sampled
several species of fish and crayfish from Penobscot Indian Nation
lakes and ponds. This baseline data is being used to guide tribal
members about safely consuming fish from these waters and to
better understand factors effecting mercury levels in the
environment. This project used EPA Environmental Justice Small
Grant funding to help design a long-term mercury monitoring
program to inform community members and policymakers on the
effectiveness of current regulations.

For more information, visit the Penobscot Nation Department of Natural Resources web page.

Herring Monitoring

In Arlington, Massachusetts, the Mystic River Herring Monitoring program, funded by an EPA Environmental
Education grant, involves citizen scientists in herring counting and assessing water quality of the Mystic River
Watershed.

For more information, \isit the Mystic River Watershed Association web page.

Kuskokwim Water Quality

Several tribes along the Kuskokwim River in Southwest Alaska are concerned about climate change impacts to
subsistence and the overall ecological health of the river. Through EPA funding, the Village of Aniak, Native Village
of Georgetown, Native Village of Napaimute, and Telida Village each use tribal environmental program staff and
trained tribal members to collect baseline water quality data and are collaborating to assess water temperature and
turbidity impacts to subsistence fish species. Once the initial analysis is complete, they hope to develop a GIS story
map, invite other tribes to join the effort, and develop a standardized methodology that can be used by others.

Learn more about EPA citizen science projects or check out citizen science across the federal government, visit

citizenscience.gov.

For more information, contact innovation(a>eDa.gov.

Source: httDs://stoivmaDS.ai,cgis.com/stories/h7b2ee7822i0,4iai8bof7ebe8(ri70>40d

Citizen scientists collecting samples in Oldtown, Maine

(Photo courtesy of Penobscot Nation)

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Recent Publications

Journal Articles

The list below provides a selection of research articles.

~	Experimental evidence for recovery of mercurv-contaminated fish populations

Blanchfield, P.J., J.W.M. Rudd, L.E. Hrenchuk, M. Amyot, C.L. Babiarz, K.G. Beaty, R.A. Drew Bodaly, B.A. Branfireun, C.C. Gilmour,
J.A. Graydon, B.D. Hall, R.C. Harris, A. Hayes, H. Hintelmann, J.P. Hurley, C.A. Kelly, D.P. Krabbenhoft, S.E. Lindberg, R.P. Mason,
M.J. Paterson, C.L Podemski, K.A. Sandilands, G.R. Southworth, V.L. St Louis, L.S. Tate, and M.T. Tate. 2022. Experimental
evidence for recovery of mercury-contaminated fish populations. Nature 601:74-78.

~	Perfluoroalkvl substances in plasma of smallmouth bass from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Blazer, V.S., S.E. Gordon, H.L. Walsh, and C.R. Smith. 2021. Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Plasma of Smallmouth Bass from the
Chesapeake Bay Watershed. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18(11):5881.

~	Sedimentary records of microplastic pollution from coastal Louisiana and their environmental implications

Culligan, N., K. Liu, K. Ribble, J. Ryu, and M. Dietz. 2022. Sedimentary records of microplastic pollution from coastal Louisiana and
their environmental implications. Journal of Coastal Conservation 26(1).

~	Effect of heterotrophic bacteria on the growth oftilapia IOreochromis niloticud cultivated in brackish water

Effendi, I., F. Feliatra, T. Emrinelson, I. Siregar, and A. Adelina. 2021. Effect of heterotrophic bacteria on the growth oftilapia
(¦Oreochromis niloticus) cultivated in brackish water. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 744(1):012016.

~	Fishing in the city for food-a paradigimatic case of sustainabilitv in urban blue space

Joosse, S., L. Hensle, W.J. Boonstra, C. Ponzelar, and J. Olsen. 2021. Fishing in the city for food—a paradigmatic case of
sustainability in urban blue space, npj Urban Sustaintainability 1:41.

~	Regional assessment of contaminant bioaccumulation in sport fish tissue in the Southern California Bight. USA

McLaughlin, K., J. Davis, A. Bonnema, B. Du, G. Ichikawa, W. Jakl, W. Heim, and K. Schiff. 2021. Regional assessment of
contaminant bioaccumulation in sport fish tissue in the Southern California Bight, USA. Marine Pollution Bulletin 172:112798.

~	Microplastic contamination in Great Lakes fish

Munno, K., P.A. Helm, C. Rochman, T. George, and D.A. Jackson. 2021. Microplastic contamination in Great Lakes fish.
Conservation Biology 1-11.

~	Environmental and anthropogenic drivers of contaminants in agricultural watersheds with implications for land management

Smalling, K.L., O.H. Devereux, S.E. Gordon, P.J. Phillips, V.S. Blazer, M.L. Hladik, D.W. Kolpin, M.T. Meyer, A.J. Sperry, and T.
Wagner. 2021. Environmental and anthropogenic drivers of contaminants in agricultural watersheds with implications for land
management. Science of The Total Environment 774(1):145687.

~	Conserving shellfish reefs-a systematic review reveals the need to broaden research efforts

Toone, T.A., R., Hunter, E.D. Benjamin, S. Handley, A. Jeffs, and J.R. Hillman. 2021. Conserving shellfish reefs—a systematic review
reveals the need to broaden research efforts. Restoration Ecology 29:13375.

~	The abundance and characteristics of microplastics in commonly consumed shellfish in the Jiangsu coastal region of China

Wang, T., B. Li, and D. Wang. 2021. The abundance and characteristics of microplastics in commonly consumed shellfish in the
Jiangsu coastal region of China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 28:60753-60764.

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Upcoming Meetings and Conferences

Aauaculture 2022	12th International Conference on Toxic Cvanobacteria

February 28-March 4, 2022	May 22-27, 2022

San Diego, CA, USA	Toledo, OH

Small Pelagic Fish: New Frontiers in Science and
Sustainable Management

November 7-11, 2022
Lisbon, Portugal

2022 Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Conference
April 27-28, 2022
Champaign, IL and Virtual

Gulf of Mexico Conference
April 25-28, 2022
Baton Rouge, LA

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 Frev (Frev.Sharon@eDa.gov. 202-566-1480).

Additional information about advisories and fish and shellfish consumption can be found at https://www.eDa.gov/fish-tech.

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