Lucky13

A lot of people still smoke cigarettes, too. I have not seen data for ocean fish (and for Lake Ontario, I think we all have yet to see the most recent data DEC has gathered under a GLRI grant, and NYSDOH participated in a three state study that I have yet to see published, making me wonder if they didn't get " the right answer") but my understanding is that fish that stay littoral especially off population centers, are just as contaminated, but offshore and faster growing fish are way below lake fish in contaminants. I know what you mean about most waterbodies being " off limits" for children, basically the entire Adirondack region makes the list now, but mercury is well documented in its negative effects. And there are lots of studies about negative impacts of endocrine disrupting chemicals on developing organisms including humans.

This is just so wrong. Salmon and trout are oily fish, high in Omega 3 fatty acids. They are an exceptional food fish. They are also mainly supported as a managed fishery, through stocking, so harvest is in no way a threat to the population if kept to the legal limits. If there were no issues with bioaccumulation of legacy contaminants, I'd be packing a freezer to whatever extent I could. This is not to deny that perch are wholesome protein and delicious, but they do not have the high levels of Omega 3's. They also contain similar concentrations of the same contaminants as trout and salmon at the same age, not size, so they pose the same health risks as Trout and salmon from the contaminated waterbody and should not be eaten by children and women of child bearing age. In the Adirondaks, perch over 12" are listed as contaminated with mercury in virtually all waterbodies, but the trout don't accumulate the mercury at the same rate as the perch, and are still somewhat safe (although the warning is the same, if ANY fish is listed for a waterbody, children and women of child bearing age should eat NONE from that waterbody.

Monocultural cattail stands are often "floating" on a slurry of bottom mud and bay water, and little islands of cattail were commonly encountered anywhere from just east of the bay mouth all the way to Ontario Beach prior to the wetlands project at Braddock. While the Headlands Breakwater is supposed to reduce the amount of wave action breaking off the cattail mats, it is likely that erosion is being exacerbated along the Salmon Creek channel by the higher water. Maybe you saw one of these. From discussion with a major birder in the area, a blind would not be necessary, the birds started coming to the headlands before they were even completed

The biggest thing to remember is that the risks to women of child bearing age, and children and teeners, are much greater than for adult men and post menopausal women, and the high risk group should still consume NO fish of ANY species from ANY water body where there is ANY advisory for the lower risk group. The advisories, which are issued by NYSDOH, not DEC, are based on risks of cancer, mutation, and birth defects found in laboratory animals, but do not include the much more insidious possible effects of disruption of the endocrine system of developing organisms, i.e. children, and there are a lot of studies indicating this, although the best quantification of the risk has been "Eat None."

As to the dead fish on Canandaigua, did you call NYSDEC? It is likely a thermal inversion (localized), as the species you see undergo thermal stress from rapid upwellings of cold water, but they will likely want to know about it.

If they open the gates too much too quickly, they flood all the homes along the St Lawrence as well, Lake St Aliice and all that.