Recommendations 



for the Use of Finfish 



Indicators in Estuary 



Programs 



Using only field data, EPA cannot expect to establish causal 

 relationships between a specific pollutant and a specific adverse 

 effect for any type of organism, Finfish indicators are, neverthe- 

 less, a useful monitoring tool. If estuary managers use several 

 indicators that lead to the same conclusion, they can gather enough 

 evidence to warrant some type of action, although it may not be 

 regulatory action. 



Using historical data, program managers whose estuaries are 

 known or believed to be stressed by toxic contamination should 

 attempt to establish baseline conditions. Baselines should be set 

 for water and sediment concentrations of toxic pollutants, the 

 abundance and distribution of finfish, and the levels of tissue 

 residue. 



The use of a single finfish indicator is insuffi- 

 cient to evaluate the ecological significance 

 of toxic contamination. ...several indicators 

 should be used simultaneously. 



Monitoring should be conducted to determine the current locations 

 and spatial extent of severe effects, and to identify the specific 

 pollutants. The use of a single finfish indicator is insufficient to 

 evaluate the ecological significance of toxic contamination. The 

 workshop's scientists recommend using several indicators simul- 

 taneously. They also recommend that, depending on the stage of 

 the program and the resources available, managers should select 

 indicators from high- or low-level suites, discussed below. 



A suite is a group of indicators that should be used to evaluate the 

 significance of toxic contamination. Low-level suites employ 

 methods that rely on historical data. These suites are useful for 

 problem identification and assessment. High-level suites require 

 collecting new information in the laboratory or in the field. Useful 

 monitoring tools, high-level suites not only indicate the nature of 

 the problem but enable managers to select methods to resolve it. 



C4 



