Careful Consumption (Great Lakes)
Did you know that each year more fish are produced for human consumption from Lake Erie than all of the other Great Lakes combined? Sometimes, chemicals and other contaminants can make their way into lakes directly, or they can be carried into the water when it rains. While these contaminants may be present in the water at very low-levels, they can “bioaccumulate” or build-up in aquatic animals, and become more concentrated as they move up the food chain. This means that the oldest and largest fish often have higher concentrations of pollutants in their bodies.
Viewer Tip: Currently, there are fish consumption advisories in place for all of the Great Lakes, intended to guide you on which fish are safe to eat, and how much you should eat. If you’re planning to do some sport fishing, visit www.great-lakes.net/envt/flora-fauna/wildlife/fishadv.html#state to find out about fish advisories in your area.
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
(Sources: EcoCity Cleveland, Lake Erie Facts http://www.ecocitycleveland.org/smartgrowth/watershed/lake_erie/lake_erie_resources.html; )
