National Rivers and Streams Assessment - Fish Tissue Studies
The National Rivers and Streams Assessments (NRSA) are statistical surveys designed to assess the status of the condition of rivers and streams in the United States and to evaluate changes affecting the quality of these flowing waters over time. The EPA works with state, Tribal and federal partners to plan and conduct these two-year surveys every five years.
The EPA conducts fish tissue contamination studies as part of the NRSA. Field crews collect fish for these studies that are commonly caught by recreational fishers. Laboratories analyze the levels of chemical contaminants in fillet tissue samples and deliver the data to the EPA. The EPA uses the fillet sample results to evaluate the potential health impacts for people who eat fish.
Learn more about the NRSA Fish Tissue Studies conducted by the EPA: