Courtesy of Google.com
The last update on mercury levels in fish was put out to the public in 2004. Even though the 2004 update was a milestone, it’s source of data was put together from research that was 20 years old.
Nearly 10 years has past since the last update, but it looks as though we are going to have to wait a little longer. Here is a link to the article in the Huffington Post-
One of the wonderful scientists on our advisory board, Anne Warner, just sent this around to me and so I thought I’d share.
From Anne:
“There are so few ways to fund conservation work in this state I want to support this novel approach and help get the word out about this opportunity to help the ODFW raise dedicated funding to support Oregon Conservation Strategy implementation efforts.
Proceeds from ODFW’s 2012 Habitat Conservation Stamp will fund habitat conservation projects with a focus on grasslands—one of the most imperiled habitats in Oregon. Stamps sell for $40 and include a free ODFW Wildlife Area Parking Pass (a $22 value). Stamps and prints are available for purchase online at ODFW’s website or anywhere fishing and hunting licenses are sold. More information can be found at, http://www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/habitat_conservation_stamp.asp
Please join us and help spread the news about this new opportunity to generate dedicated funding to support conservation efforts associated with the Oregon Conservation Strategy and Oregon Nearshore Strategy. I have also attached a copy of the order form which you can print out and mail or fax back to ODFW.”
ORDER FORM HABITAT CONSERVATION STAMP (click the link to open the order form)
- Meg
Deke Gundersen
PDX Wildlife is very fortunate to have such a dedicated team of researchers who travel all overthe world. One such researcher, Isaac Sleadd, recently returned from Antarctica with a treasure trove of biological samples. Although Isaac studies antifreeze proteins, he also collaborates with fellow researchers on several other projects including mercury in Antarctic fish.
Mercury in Antarctica? This is a common question that we hear when talking about pollutantsin the polar south. Antarctica is widely thought to be untouched by contaminants and people, given its extreme environment and location. This misconception is partially the reason behind studying mercury in fish. We want to learn more about our environment and how it reacts to environmental contaminants that can travel such long distances.
In order to learn how much mercury is in these fish, we also need a lab who is capable and willing to run our samples. Deke Gundersen of Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR, has analyzed multiple biota for contaminants such as mercury, DDT, & PCB’s. We are lucky to be able to have Deke and his colleagues donate their time to analyze our samples. We look forward to the results of this study. Stay tuned for more over the next few months.