Tainting of Fish and Wildlife Flavour BUI 2 Overview

Not Impaired

Why was this BUI originally listed as impaired?

• Taste testing studies conducted within the AOC found that the fish exhibited an off-flavour
• Wildlife have not been reported to have a taste issue
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This BUI will be considered to be ‘not impaired’ when….

Survey results confirm that there is no statistically significant tainting of fish flavor when compared to fish from upstream of the Detroit River.

What was done?

• 1996/7 Health Canada Angler Survey for the Detroit River: Survey findings indicated that fish flavour tainting was not a notable issue. The vast majority of respondents who ate fish from the Detroit River cited “good taste” as a reason for consumption, while only 1% reported avoiding their catch because of undesirable taste or smell (Dawson 2000)
• 2010 DRCC Angler Survey of the Canadian side of the Detroit River: The survey found that 85% of Detroit River anglers indicated that they consume Detroit River fish (mostly walleye and yellow perch). The majority of participants rated the taste and smell of Detroit River fish as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’. No participants rated the taste or smell of Detroit River fish as ‘Poor’.

When did the status change?

• The status changed to not impaired in May 2014

The bi-national connection: What is the U.S. doing?

• This BUI is also not impaired in the Detroit River American AOC

Where can I learn more?

Detroit River Canadian Remedial Action Plan: Stage 2 Report (2010): pages 68-76.

Assessment of the Tainting of Fish and Wildlife Flavour (BUI #2) in the Detroit River Canadian Area of Concern