Grandkids Can Catch Them But Shouldn’t Eat Them
It’s hard to believe this is already the 4th column of the summer! As I write this column approaching Father’s Day, there are a lot of kids and grandkids in town and getting out on the lake. The generally warm weather has spurred a lot of swimming, tubing, and general cooling off in and near the water. I am encouraged to see a lot of youngsters out fishing with their families.
Last week’s pictures of my friend Don’s grandkids and this week’s pictures of my neighbor, Eric Hasenfsus’s grandkids, Emily and Aly, with a nice Tracy Cove smallmouth that Emily caught remind me that while it’s a lot of fun to watch them catch fish, eating them could be a problem. Regular readers of this column will recognize my grandson, Bayard (a.k.a. Bub), who has appeared regularly in this column over the years.
Last winter, Bub and his parents moved into their own lakefront property on West Harbor Pond in Boothbay. Bub has made friends with classmates and neighbors and recently celebrated one of his neighbor’s fishing birthday party in the rain where they caught a nice brookie. The nice largemouth was caught by Bub while fishing with the nextdoor neighbor and his 6-year old grandson. Bub is actually wearing his 7 Lakes T-shirt under his life jacket.
Every grandfather who teaches his grandkids to fish feels pride when they actually start to go out on their own and do it. At the same time, I realize that these two pictures are the first ones I’ve published where neither my daughter nor I were present or taking the picture. I have to admit to a twinge of jealousy to go with the pride. It’s also pretty depressing warning grandkids they shouldn’t eat the fish they are catching!
I still remember the pride I felt when I first brought home fish the family would eat for dinner. I looked forward to sharing the bounty and learned to clean, cook, and eat fish. My Scandinavian family ate fish at least three or four times a week, especially during the summer. Fresh fish is still one of my favorite meals.
Unfortunately, our grandchildren won’t have that option, at least not until they are over the age of 8. Maine Inland Fish and Wildlife (IFW) and Maine Center for Disease Control (CDC) have issued safe consumption guidelines for Maine’s freshwater fish, which are contaminated with mercury. Pregnant and nursing women, women who may get pregnant, and children under age 8 are advised to eat NO freshwater fish from Maine’s inland waters, except that they may safely consume one meal per month of brook trout or landlocked salmon. All others are advised to eat no more than two freshwater fish meals per month, except for brook trout and landlocked salmon, which can be safely consumed once a week.
The primary source of the mercury in Maine’s lakes and rivers is air pollution from coal-fired power plants in the Midwest. These plants are being phased out but WAY too slowly. Maine is particularly susceptible to mercury pollution because of our acidic precipitation and thin soils with little or no carbonates that can provide buffering.
There are other site-specific restrictions for other contaminants, such as PFAS, PCBs, DIOXINS, and DDT. Recently, the Maine CDC issued a consumption advisory for PFAS/PFOS for fish caught in Salmon Lake and McGrath Pond. The general population should consume no more than one fish meal a month from these waters. (Children under 8 and pregnant females should consume NO fish.) In the Messalonskee Stream between Rice Rips and the Kennebec, adults should consume no more than three fish meals a YEAR. Please check the IFW website above before consuming your fish. And please contact your federal legislators and ask them to support stricter air pollution standards so we can safely eat the fish we catch!
The 7 Lakes Stewardship Team works hard to keep our trails safe for hikers. This summer, we are hosting a Maine Conservation Corps Crew of Americorps Volunteers — they do get a small stipend, but not much — sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF). This group of college students and recent college graduates is working to rejuvenate portions of the Sanders Hill Trail in the Kennebec Highlands that are showing their age (about 3 decades). This year’s crew is from PA, ME, NJ, MI, and NY. Rain or shine, they are camping out in tents at 7 Lakes Castle Island property on Route 27 near the Belgrade Health Center from now through August. Those who hike Sanders Hill this summer will likely see them working on all of our behalf. Please thank them for their service on your behalf that will keep our trails safe for the next few decades.
Check the 7LA website and Facebook page for upcoming events. Our Thursday afternoon, 3 to 4 p.m., Chewonki presentations began on June 24. We will also be offering Invasive Plant Workshops and Junior Ranger training on Sunday mornings during the Farmers’ Market. Check with Sally (495‑6039) in the gallery if you are interested in signing up.
I encourage everyone to take advantage of the wealth of recreational opportunities this area offers. Do like they used to in “the good old days” and take a kid fishing, or on a hike, or paddling in a canoe. It’s how memories are made. Or take a parent, so they can become a kid again.
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