PURPOSE OF NOTICE: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality announces the release of the 2023 fish tissue and sediment contaminant monitoring data.

BACKGROUND: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) conducts routine studies of fish tissue and bottom sediments in state waters to assess the human health risks for individuals who may consume fish, to identify impaired aquatic ecosystems, and to plan and track the progress of cleanup efforts. Results are made available to the public each year on the agency’s website. The agency selects sampling stations for routine fish tissue monitoring based on input from the public and from partner agencies such as the Department of Wildlife Resources and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission on popular fishing locations. Sites from each of Virginia’s major river basins are sampled on a rotating basis such that each basin is sampled every three years, as resources allow.

In 2023, DEQ collected fish tissue samples primarily from sites in the watersheds of the middle James River, Rappahannock River, Roanoke River, Chowan River and Albemarle Sound, and Big Sandy River. Samples were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) a suite of 17 metals, including mercury, and Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). DEQ also collected bottom sediment samples from the watersheds of the Rappahannock River, Roanoke River, Chowan River and Albemarle Sound, and Big Sandy River, which were analyzed for PCBs.

2023 monitoring results for PCBs and Mercury are available on the agency’s website at the following link: https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/water/water-quality/monitoring/fish-tissue-monitoring

2023 monitoring results for PFAS are available on the agency’s PFAS Dashboard at: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/8f8b1ad32de44d4ebcfbb98669296877/

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) uses the data generated by DEQ’s fish tissue monitoring program to determine the need for fish consumption advisories. More information on VDH fish consumption advisories is available here: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/public-health-toxicology/fish-consumption-advisory/.

CONTACTS FOR MORE INFORMATION: Questions on DEQ’s fish tissue monitoring program can be directed to Rick Browder (Richard.Browder@deq.virginia.gov), Gabriel Darkwah (Gabriel.Darkwah@deq.virginia.gov), or Andrew Kirk (andrew.kirk@deq.virginia.gov). Additional information is also available on the VADEQ Water Quality Monitoring website at the following location https://www.deq.virginia.gov/water/water-quality/monitoring.