Kopec talks with media about mercury testing at Pushaw Lake Ice Fishing Derby
Dianne Kopec was interviewed for a Feb. 5 Bangor Daily News story and a Feb. 6 segment on NewsCenter Maine about testing for mercury in fish caught during the Pushaw Lake Ice Fishing Derby. Kopec is a Mitchell Center faculty fellow with expertise in aquatic ecosystems and mercury contamination.
Fish from Pushaw Lake have not been tested for mercury since 2011, when results showed that 90% had mercury levels above the state’s 200 parts per billion action level. Maine is one of 27 states nationwide that have freshwater fish consumption advisories in place due to concerns about mercury’s health effects, particularly on pregnant women and younger children.
Kopec sampled about 60 fish caught during the derby, with anglers’ permission, and hopes that testing will help to establish current levels of mercury in the lake’s fish.