Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program

Agency: Environmental Quality

Annual Fish Advisory published by the Michigan Department of Community Health. 

SWAS contributes to the annual fish advisory by coordinating fish collections and contaminant analyses. Also, the SWAS Chief serves as chair of Michigan's Fish and Wildlife Contaminant Advisory Committee (FAWCAC). FAWCAC is responsible for coordinating efforts to monitor contaminants in fish and wildlife and issue consumption advisories in Michigan.

FAWCAC
Fish and Wildlife Contaminant Advisory Committee 

FAWCAC includes representatives from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA), the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), and the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH). The four participating departments have the following responsibilities:

MDEQ Management of environmental protection programs intended to reduce or eliminate contaminant loads to the environment. Sampling includes fish and wildlife in the environment and caged organisms to measure uptake of contaminants.

• MDEQ's Fish Contaminant Monitoring Database

MDARD Assuring the safety of commercially sold or raised fish and wildlife. Sampling includes fish and wildlife in commerce or destined for commerce.

MDNR Management of wildlife and commercial and recreational fisheries. Sampling includes fish and wildlife in the environment.

MDCH Evaluation of fish and wildlife contaminant monitoring data from the human health perspective and preparation of fish and wildlife consumption advisories. Analyses include assessment of human exposure and risk from eating fish and wildlife containing contaminants

Information Contact:  Joseph Bohr at 517-373-4704, or Email at bohrj@michigan.gov.