Routine Monitoring Program for Toxics in Fish: Estuarine and Marine Waters

Fish and shellfish consumption advisories due to toxic chemical contamination were announced in New Jersey in the 1980s and 1990s. Data from Division of Science, Research and Technology (DSRT) studies revealed that unacceptable risks existed for eating certain species of fish and shellfish from certain waters in the State. However, limited new data has been generated in the past ten years. Therefore, it is not known how appropriate the advisories are today. New data are needed on a recurring basis to evaluate and adjust advisories as appropriate. The primary objectives of the monitoring program are: 1. To provide current and more comprehensive data on concentrations of toxic contaminants in fish and shellfish in order to assess human health risks and thus update/recommend fish consumption advisories, and 2. To provide data to develop environmental indicators to assess the progress of environmental management actions. A statewide "Routine Monitoring Program for Toxics in Fish" has been developed. However, the scope of work detailed in this Work Plan covers only 1) the Marine and Estuarine components of the proposed statewide Monitoring Plan (i.e., Year 2 of the plan), and 2) a separate stand-alone investigation of dioxin and other contaminants on the tidal Passaic River and its downstream receiving waters, which will support both the Department's Natural Resource Damage (NRD) claim process as well as its Passaic River Directive.Final Work Pla