As part of a long-term contaminant-monitoring program of fish in Puget Sound and Georgia Basin, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and NWFSC have collaborated in collection and analyses of fish and other marine biota to determine contaminant exposure and potential effects to a wide range of marine species. NWFSC staff help collect samples and conduct chemical tracer analyses of a number of marine organisms to provide information about spatial and temporal changes in contaminant and lipid levels, as well as provide information on their potential health effects. WDFW takes the lead on study design and sample collection and provide expertise in the distribution and ecology of the fishes. This information can then be used by agency management to make informed decisions about Puget Sound/Georgia Basin fishery resources and habitats.

In FY18-19, the NWFSC will analyze approximately 500 tissue/fluid samples of marine and anadromous fish species and the associated quality assurance samples for chemical contaminants (e.g., persistent organic pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), PAH metabolites, xenoestrogens), as well as percent solids and lipids. In addition, approximately 20 semi-permeable membranes and the associated quality assurance samples will be analyzed for this same suite of chemical contaminants. Determining levels of persistent organic pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and xenoestrogens in various matrices of fish from Puget Sound.