Results from fish tissue collected from Quesnel Lake between Aug. 27 and Sept. 3, 2014, are below the human consumption guidelines for selenium and mercury and remain safe to eat.

A total of 71 minnows were collected—65 pike minnows, four peamouth chub, one red shiner and one pre-spawn sockeye mort—from Quesnel Lake. Selenium tissue results were below the human consumption guideline with slight exceedances for the protection of aquatic life. Mercury results were below the human consumption guidelines for the whole fish.

The majority of fish tissue results exceed the tissue residue guidelines to protect wildlife (for avian or bird species) which is typical of most lakes across the province due to the amount of mercury deposited from the atmosphere.

There was one high lead result in a peamouth chub collected at Hazeltine Creek. The result was sent to the lab for re-assessment and the result will be reported when received.

Lengths and weights were recorded for all fish prior to being sent to the lab for total metal analysis. The metal analysis was conducted on the whole fish due to smaller size.

All results and explanations are publically available on the Ministry of Environment’s dedicated Mount Polley site: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/eemp/incidents/2014/mount-polley.htm

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Environment
250 953-3834