Toxicological significance of mercury in yellow perch in the Laurentian Great Lakes region

We assessed the risks of mercury in yellow perch, a species important in the trophic transfer of methylmercury, in the Great Lakes region. Mean concentrations in whole perch from 45 (6.5%) of 691 waters equaled or exceeded 0.20 μg/g w.w., a threshold for adverse effects in fish. In whole perch within the size range eaten by common loons (<100 g), mean concentrations exceeded a dietary threshold (0.16 μg/g w.w.) for significant reproductive effects on loons in 19 (7.3%) of 260 waters. Mean concentrations in fillets of perch with length ≥ 15.0 cm, the minimum size retained by anglers, exceeded the USEPA criterion (0.3 μg/g w.w.) in 26 (6.4%) of 404 U.S. waters and exceeded the Ontario guideline (0.26 μg/g w.w.) in 35 (20%) of 179 Ontario waters. Mercury levels in yellow perch in some waters within this region pose risks to perch, to common loons, and to mercury-sensitive human populations.

► Yellow perch are important in the trophic transfer of methylmercury in many waters.
► We analyzed data on Hg in yellow perch from lentic waters in the Great Lakes region.
► Concentrations in perch from some waters exceeded a threshold for effects in fish.
► In some waters, Hg levels in perch could impair reproduction of common loons.
► Hg in fish from some waters exceeds consumption guidelines for sensitive populations.