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Field Manual for the Investigation of Fish Kills

Resource Publication 177
By:  and 

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Preface

Fish kills are graphic evidence of serious problems in a lake or stream. If the kill is related to the presence of toxic chemicals, there may be human health concerns, in addition to the obvious damage to the ecosystem and the fisheries resources. Depending on the cause of a fish kill, legal and economic ramifications may be involved. If the kill is cause by human or corporate actions, litigation is likely to follow, with possible court-awarded damages and assessed costs for cleanup and restoration.

Federal and State agencies have expressed the need for a compendium of known and accepted methods and techniques that should be followed by anyone investigation a fish kill. This manual is an attempt to fill that need. It addresses the many facets involved in a fish kill investigation and provides instruction, guidance, examples, and sample forms that can be used.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is pleased to provide this manual to help fisheries biologists and others prepare for a fish kill investigation. Research and Development (Region 8) has cooperated with the Division of Environmental Contaminants in Fish and Wildlife Enhancement to provide expertise and funds. We hope that the manual proves to be useful for interpreting evidence at the site of a fish kill, and corrective actions, and preparing for appearance as a court witness.

Table of Contents

  • Preface
  • Chapter 1. Introduction
  • Chapter 2. Planning
  • Chapter 3. Interpreting the Scene
  • Chapter 4. Toxic Substances
  • Chapter 5. Fish Kills Due to Natural Causes
  • Chapter 6. The Role of Infectious Agents in Fish Kills
  • Chapter 7. Quality Assurance and Rules of Evidence
  • Chapter 8. Where to Send Samples for Analysis
  • Chapter 9. How to Ship Samples
  • Chapter 10. Writing the Report
  • Chapter 11. Preparing for Testimony
  • Chapter 12. Equipment Needed for Field Assessments
  • Chapter 13. Test Your Skill
  • References
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype Federal Government Series
Title Field manual for the investigation of fish kills
Series title Resource Publication
Series number 177
Year Published 1990
Language English
Publisher U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Publisher location Washington, D.C.
Description 120 p.
Additional publication details