NHDES Asking for Fish for Mercury Analysis

Concord, NH - The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) is asking fishermen to donate fish for mercury concentration analysis. If you are interested in discovering the mercury concentration in fish for a specific waterbody in New Hampshire, the NHDES Jody Connor Limnology Laboratory (JCLC) will process your samples for FREE. Once processed, the data will be added to the Lake Information Mapper (New Hampshire Lake Information Mapper), and it will help NHDES track trends and update advisories. The latest report on the status and trends of mercury in New Hampshire fish is available on NHDES’ website in the New Hampshire Mercury in Fish Tissue Report.

So far, NHDES has analyzed over 4,000 fish to determine the amount and concentration of mercury they contain. Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that has serious health risks if consumed in excessive amounts. These analyses have resulted in a statewide fish consumption advisory and waterbody-specific fish consumption advisories where necessary. 

NHDES is looking for volunteers to submit at least five fish within a year from a single waterbody. Yellow perch, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are the species NHDES is most interested in receiving; however, other consumed species are also accepted. For a list of fish species and collection procedures, see the Volunteers Collecting Fish For Mercury Analysis guidance document. All fish must be captured and retained following regulations established by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.  

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Max Maynard at Maxwell.T.Maynard@des.nh.gov for more details.