The Mercury in Fish Volunteer Sampling Program is fairly simple to perform but its value to the knowledge of the health of New Hampshire's water bodies is immeasurable!
First of all, all fish must be caught in a manner that is consistent with acceptable methods, laws and rules as stated in the NH Freshwater Fishing Digest, published by the NH Fish and Game Department.
It is important to note that well all fish species are welcomed in order to increase the database for evaluation, fish eaten by people are generally preferred because of human heath effects.
| Preferred Fish | Not Preferred |
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Each volunteer participant will need the following
- Freezer Bags: Please place only one fish sample per bag.
- ID Labels: Record date, location of collection (if the specimen is collected on a large water body, please specify the general area the fish was collected), and length for each fish collected. Please be sure to use pencil or permanent pen to fill out the label.
- Record Forms: Forms can either be picked up before sampling or can be filled out upon your return to the DES Limnology Center in Concord.
Each participant is asked to use his/her own fishing equipment, ice chest, ice, pencil, and ruler or tape measure (to measure fish length).
All participants are asked to put to fish on ice and deliver the fish samples as soon as possible to:
Department of Environmental Services
Limnology Center
29 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH
For questions contact:
- Sara Steiner, VLAP Coordinator
NH Department of Environmental Services
29 Hazen Drive; PO Box 95
Concord, NH 03302-0095
(603) 271-2658
sara.steiner@des.nh.gov
- What is Mercury?
- What does Mercury Do?
- What can you do to protect yourself?
- Volunteer Mercury in Fish Program