I have a question about the Pineview mercury problem.
I wanted to go fishing there this weekend but am a little concerned about the mercury found in the fish.
1. Does anyone know if there is a way to remove the mercury from the meat?
2. If not what is the proper handling of the fish?
They are difficult to release do to the depth they are coming out of causing their eyes to bulge and swim bladder to expand.
3. Is it best to simply cull some of the fish while this problem persists?
4. Or is there a more effective way to safely release the fish?
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
5. Where did all the mercury come from?
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[#0000FF]The only species with any kind of mercury advisory from Pineview are smallmouth bass. Crappies and perch do not live as long nor do they have the same diet as the smallmouth.
Crappies and perch from water over about 30 feet deep may be subject to the "bends"...which allows the air bladder and eye sockets to swell and protrude. Fizzing or using a "descender" will save some of these fish...but not all. Best to keep the fish you catch and hope for the bigger ones.
The mercury is a cumulative residue from eating smaller fish and crustaceans that have absorbed it from dwelling near the bottom and consuming algae and small organisms that ingest it too. It builds up over time.
The mercury is in many Utah waters downstream from drainages in which there was once a lot of mining. Mercury was used in extracting gold from crushed ore and it does not break down over time.
There is no treatment you can use to reduce or remove the mercury. Best advice is to follow the consumption guidelines from the [url "http://www.fishadvisories.utah.gov/"]UTAH FISH ADVISORIES.[/url]
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Thanks for the comprehensive reply, I was unaware that only the small mouth had the problem.
This is good to know.
I love crappie meat.
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[#0000FF]It is always good to check reliable sources for the right info before jumping off your tackle box in despair.
That Utah Fish Advisories website is great for double checking any water you plan to fish.
Can't believe all the uniformed comments we get on the board about "mercury contamination" in Utah Lake...where there is no problem with any species. There is PCB accumulation in larger and longer living fish..like carp and catfish...but the white bass, walleyes, crappies, bluegills and largemouth bass are all pretty much no problem.
But, it is wise to be concerned...and commendable that you are also concerned about properly treating fish from the depths.
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The source of the mercury in Pineview is not from historic mining. There was little to no historic mining in the Ogden River drainage. Fish actually become contaminated with an organic molecule containing mercury called methylmercury. Methylmercury is formed from inorganic mercury by the action of microbes that live in aquatic systems. The elemental mercury is deposited in watersheds from the atmosphere. There are many sources of elemental mercury in the atmosphere both natural and anthropogenic. Natural sources of mercury to the atmosphere include volcanoes, forest fires, volatization from the ocean and weathering of mercury-bearing rocks (cinnabar). Anthropogenic sources include manufacturing processes, the burning of wastes containing inorganic mercury and from the burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal.
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[#0000FF]All too true. There are many waters in our country with methyl mercury problems...without the "benefit" of former mining pollution.
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