First phase completed in fish consumption survey at urban lakes in L.A. region

SCCWRP has completed the first phase of an ongoing study examining whether one or more urban lakes in the Los Angeles region should receive a regulatory designation known as a Subsistence Fishing beneficial use based on the consumption habits of people who eat fish from the lakes.

The nine-month field survey, completed in September, involved interviewing about 450 anglers at four lakes – Alondra Park Lake, Magic Johnson Lake, Legg Lake, and Peck Road Park Lake – to document anglers’ characteristics, including demographics and fish species caught.

Less than 20% of the surveyed anglers reported consuming the fish they caught. These anglers described how much and how often they eat the fish they caught, as well as cooking methods and household composition.

Researchers have begun analyzing the collected data to estimate fish consumption rates, which will then be compared to existing fish consumption advisory guidelines developed by California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA).

The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board is planning to use the study’s findings to determine whether to add a Subsistence Fishing beneficial use designation to any of these lakes.