I work with the Washington State Dept. of Ecology and sit on a couple of
> citizens groups regarding the closure of commercial shellfish beds. Our
> goal is to have these beds re-opened. One of the closed shellfish areas
is
> an embayment with a seafood processor contributing their effluent to the
> harbor. The seafood processor processes bottom fish, dungeness crab (in
> season), and wild salmon (in season) a few days a week and contributes low
> volumes of effluent. They monitor their effluent by taking grab samples
and
> testing for fecal coliform bacteria among other things. Results show high
> levels (in the 10,000's) of fecal coliform bacteria monthly.
>
> I am not aware of either bottom fish, free swimming fish, or crustaceans
> having fecal coliform bacteria present in their systems. Are you aware of
> any research or information regarding this subject? We are trying to
> determine the source of these high levels of fecal coliform bacteria and
> want to rule out the product (fish or crab processed) before we begin to
> pursue possible rodent and bird vectors.
Mark Henderson
Bellingham Field Office
(360) 676-2198
mhen461@ecy.wa.gov
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