Some Lake Erie anglers consider algae blooms helpful — but what are the health implications? | 24CA News

Despite usually being described as smelly and never good to have a look at, Eric Hirzel and Matthew Hehn say they discover algae blooms useful with regards to catching extra fish in Lake Erie.

Both are longtime constitution fishing captains, who patrol the lake’s western basin, primarily pulling walleye (pickerel) and yellow perch from the water.

Algae blooms are triggered when algae grows rapidly in water programs from extra nutrient runoff, like phosphorus or nitrogen from fertilizer. 

One of the most important not too long ago recorded algal blooms in western Lake Erie occurred in 2017.

Hirzel, from Ohio, says if the blooms get thick sufficient they supply sufficient shade that fish usually accumulate beneath the inexperienced slime, making it simpler to hook them.

“Sometimes, it’s not like we’re running away from these blooms,” mentioned Hirzel. 

“A lot of times we’re going right to them. It’s not very pleasant to look at. It’s sometimes not very pleasant to smell it, but the fish are certainly active under it.”

Hehn, from Michigan, agrees, calling it “kind of a running joke” within the constitution business and particularly the group he fishes with.

“It’s almost like the walleye have sunglasses at that time of year and then a flat day with the algae bloom … the bites continue to be very good still,” mentioned Hehn. 

“Where if we don’t have that algae bloom and it flattens out, and it’s really high sun, the bite will typically slow down quite a bit.

Can humans get sick from eating fish exposed to algae blooms?

Hehn said from his experience, fish typically aren’t eating algae on the surface. 

“Everything I’ve ever heard from the Michigan DNR (division of pure assets) after which by way of the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission is that algae would not have any impact on the standard of the meat or something like that.”

But what do the scientists say?

The director at Ohio Sea Grant and Ohio State University’s Stone Laboratory says fish can accumulate toxins from algae blooms in their flesh.

However, according to Chris Winslow, academic and agency research isn’t showing high enough fillet concentration levels to justify additional warnings, in fear of transferring toxins to people who eat them.

“There is already a fish consumption advisory in place for Lake Erie fish, and it is based on mercury,” said Winslow. 

“But what we’re discovering is the toxins within the fish tissue usually are not trumping the mercury consumption advisory, as long as you are following the advisory that is been in place because the 70s … these toxins haven’t made it any worse.”

Are fish impacted by exposure to Lake Erie algae blooms?

René Shahmohamadloo has published a research paper on how Lake Erie fish are safe to eat despite being afflicted by algal hepatotoxins, but he’s also concerned about the health of the fish.

The ecotoxicologist and postdoctoral scientist said he hopes his work can advocate for a “unvoiced” fish population.

“What concerning the fish themselves who don’t have any alternative however to swim in these probably very poisonous baths?” said Shahmohamadloo, who’s dually affiliated with Washington State University and the University of Guelph. 

“I discover it fascinating how we are able to have a look at this story as a result of it reveals how human centric we have develop into … if it is not a difficulty to us as a human species, let’s hold life happening.”

After two rounds of sampling, Shahmohamadloo said their study suggests the levels of concentrations would be of concern to fish population growth and development. 

Some fish were harbouring unhealthy levels of a toxin called microcystins — a liver toxin — before, during and after major algae bloom events, he said.

“It’s suggestive that it could possibly be a difficulty for their very own progress, improvement and inhabitants dynamics.”

Shahmohamadloo said there’s a chance fish are flocking together underneath the blooms because they’re stressed out. 

“It’s straightforward for us to fish them, however there may probably be a severe organic purpose that is inflicting the fish to congregate that manner, like cyanobacteria. We should be cautious after we take into consideration these blooms.”

In contrast, Winslow said he needs to see more “definitive” research to support the idea that fish are being affected by the toxins.

“We do not appear to see that it is killing fish and we do not even appear to suppose that it is affecting their behaviour or their progress up to now.”

How have blooms been so far this summer on Lake Erie?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) continues to predict a low to moderate-sized bloom across the western Lake Erie watershed this summer.

On a scale of 1-10, the U.S. federal agency expects a severity level range of 2 to 4.5 because of a dry spring and low phosphorus loads into the lake.

As of July 24, the current bloom in western Lake Erie has an approximate area of 620 square kilometres, with scum likely showing up nearshore around parts of Michigan and Ohio. 

Rajesh Bejankiwar said even though they don’t change the severity of algae blooms, wind and wave action can impact them across the western basin of Lake Erie. 

The International Joint Commission scientist said they can alter how blooms spread, and collect at beaches and local shorelines.

“If you could have a giant quantity of algae and if there’s a wind from south to north, clearly the blooms will transfer in direction of the north shore of Lake Erie after which we’ll see extra on our shoreline, on the Ontario facet,” Bejankiwar said. 

Sandy Bihn lives at the mouth of the Maumee River and Lake Erie — an area widely viewed as a main source of phosphorus load into the lake from livestock manure.

She’s also the executive director for an advocacy group called Lake Erie Waterkeeper — with a focus on algal blooms.

Bihn said she expects the bloom to be bigger in August and September because of the recent rainfall we’ve seen.

“These blooms are attributable to normally six to eight main occasions in a 12 months,” Bihn said.

“The waters are a bit of cooler this 12 months. Water ranges are down this 12 months from what they have been a bit of bit. How a lot that components in temperature actually does play a job in it, however I think we will have a big bloom in August and September.”

The health of Lake Erie is “immeasurably vital” to Pelee Island, according to its mayor.

And so far, Cathy Miller said there’s nothing notable to report along Canada’s southernmost shoreline.

“Our predominant industries of agriculture and tourism are each reliant on a wholesome lake — as is most of mainland Ontario,” said Miller.

“Tourism has been negatively impacted in years the place huge blooms have impacted water high quality.”

She said the island consistently tracks algae bloom reports from a handful of agencies, adding despite algal blooms affecting small communities like Pelee Island first, that it’s an “worldwide difficulty that finally may have an effect on us all.”

“It is my notion that Ontario’s 12-point plan to handle this difficulty has been efficient.” 

Everyone who draws on Lake Erie for drinking water could be impacted by high levels of algae and algal blooms, added Miller.

“Residents draw from private wells, small ingesting water programs, sand factors and the municipal water system. The municipal water system is closely monitored and controlled to make sure security.”