State Seeks More Lake-Caught Fish Donations To Bolster New Mercury Data

State regulators have new data on mercury levels in fish caught in New Hampshire waters – and they want more anglers to donate fish for testing. The state Department of Environmental Services keeps an interactive map of New Hampshire’s lakes , with data about invasive species, cyanobacteria, runoff and more. Now, that map includes mercury concentrations in the tissue of fish in each lake – especially yellow perch and largemouth bass. Biologist Kirsten Nelson says wild freshwater fish like those build up mercury from other fish they eat. “Basically the higher up the food chain you go, the more concentrated the mercury is likely to be,” she says. The state already has guidelines on how much wild freshwater fish people should be eating in order to avoid mercury poisoning. It depends on species and where the fish were caught. Officials say children and women who are or may become pregnant shouldn't eat any fish from certain water bodies or species due to mercury risks. The toxic metal