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Algae
Toxins Found in Yellow Perch on
Klamath River
Reservoirs
by Dan
Bacher
A new
report issued by the Karuk Tribe of
"Microcystin levels in freshwater mussel samples exceeded the
allowable seasonal intake level for children by as much as 66
fold," according to the report. "Toxin levels in yellow perch
exceeded the allowable seasonal intake level for children by as much as
10 fold. Acute, or one-time intake levels, were also exceeded for many
of the samples."
The report was released as a broad coalition of Indian Tribes, fishing
groups and environmental organizations is engaged in a campaign to
remove four of PacifiCorp's dams on the
Photo: A Karuk Tribe water quality specialist samples
water at Copco Reservoir on the
640_copco_sampling.jpg
original
image ( 1000x564)
Karuk
Tribe
P R E S S R E L E A S E
For Immediate Release: April 10, 2008
For more information:
Craig Tucker, Spokesperson Karuk Tribe (916) 207-8294
Susan Corum, Water Quality Coordinator, Karuk Tribe (530) 598-9658
Algae Toxins found in Yellow Perch and Freshwater Mussels
Findings indicate need for warnings against eating fish from PacifiCorp
Reservoirs
Orleans, CA – A new report issued by the Karuk Tribe shows that the
flesh of a popular game fish in PacifiCorp’s Klamath reservoirs is
contaminated by the algal toxin microcystin. The report concludes that
the public should by warned by health officials to not eat fish from the
reservoirs during summer months when algae blooms are most pervasive.
The report is based on toxicological analyses performed by the
California Department of Fish and Game under contract to the California
Water Resources Control Board. The funding for the study was provided by
US Environmental Protection Agency.
Since the discovery of the toxic blue green algae Microcystis aeruginosa
in PacifiCorp’s
The report titled Microcystin Bioaccumulation in Klamath River Fish and
Freshwater Mussel Tissue: Preliminary 2007 Results shows that during
summer months when the algae blooms persist, microcystin is present in
fillets of yellow perch from
Microcystin levels in freshwater mussel samples exceeded the allowable
seasonal intake level for children by as much as 66 fold. Toxin levels
in yellow perch exceeded the allowable seasonal intake level for
children by as much as 10 fold. Acute, or one-time intake levels, were
also exceeded for many of the samples.
.
Fishing for the non-native yellow perch in the reservoirs is popular
among anglers while river mussels are an important traditional food for
the Karuk and other Tribes.
The most disturbing result was the finding of microcystin in the fillets
of perch as well as the livers. Toxins commonly accumulate in the livers
of organisms but until now it was unclear if the toxin would be found in
the muscle tissue which is the part of the fish normally consumed by
sport fishermen.
The report concludes that, “In light of these bioaccumulation data,
public health advisories should include warnings for the ingestion of
fish and freshwater mussels.”
According to numerous studies, the algae blooms are brought on by the
presence of PacifiCorp’s Klamath dams. By creating warm shallow
reservoirs, the dams create the perfect conditions for the algae
Microcystis aeruginosa to thrive.
Last summer, the Northcoast Regional Water Quality Control Board posted
warnings urging swimmers and boaters to avoid contact with the
reservoirs and the
“PacifiCorp’s dams kill our salmon and poison our People,”
according to Karuk Vice-chairman Leaf Hillman. “We need PacifiCorp and
Warren Buffett to understand that we can’t take it any longer. We will
do everything in our power to remove these dams and fix our river.”
“While Buffett is fighting poverty and disease in the third world with
his philanthropy, his dams are creating poverty and disease here on the
Klamath along with threatening the jobs of fishermen along 700 miles of
coastline,” stated Regina Chichizola from the Klamath Riverkeeper.
PacifiCorp is currently seeking to renew their license to operate the
dams. However, before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission can issue
a new license, the water boards of
“This is another issue we plan to raise with Mr. Buffett as his
shareholders meeting next month,” concludes Hillman.
# # #
Editors’ notes:
Pictures of the sampling sites, a copy of lab results, and previous
press releases are available online at http://www.karuk.us/press/press.php
Link to CA Energy Commission economic study: http://www.energy.ca.gov/klamath/
Link to California Coastal Commission sediment study that concludes that
dams can be removed safely: http://www.klamathwaterquality.com/CCC_KHP_Dams_Out_9_22_06.pdf
Yellow Perch on
by
Dan Bacher
110702irongatec.jpg
Yellow
perch like these are popular with anglers on Iron Gate Reservoir. These
fish were caught in November after the water cooled down and the algae
blooms dissipated. Photo by Dan Bacher.
Microcystic Algae
by
Dan Bacher
microcytis_cell_close_up....
Microcystis
aeruginosa cell. Courtesy of Dr. Jake Kann.
Klamath River side channel
by
Dan Bacher
klam_bc_side_chan_wq_sm.jpg
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NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted
material herein is distributed without profit or payment to those
who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for
non-profit
research and educational purposes only. For more information go
to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
Source:
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/04/10/18491952.php