Mark,
I have heard of others having a similar problem although with their processing
water instead of effluent water. In their case the coliforms came from vessels
discharging their sewage near their water intake. Regulations prohibit this
within 3 miles of shore, but it still happens.
Greg
"Henderson, Mark" wrote:
> 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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