Metrosexual Billy Bass
Posted on 10/15/2004, 6:59:19 AM by neverdem
Pollution Suspected Cause of Anomaly in River's South Branch
MOOREFIELD, W.Va. -- The South Branch of the Potomac River is as clear as bottled water here, where it rolls over a bed of smooth stones about 230 miles upstream from Washington. But there is a mystery beneath this glassy surface.
Many of the river's male bass are producing eggs.
Scientists believe this inversion of nature is being caused by pollution in the water. But they say the exact culprit is still unknown: It might be chicken estrogen left over in poultry manure, or perhaps human hormones dumped in the river with processed sewage. Chances are, it is not something that federal and state inspectors regularly test for in local waters.
The discovery has made the South Branch the latest example of an emerging national problem: Hormones, drugs and other man-made pollutants appear to be interfering with the chemical signals that make fish grow and reproduce.
While researchers look for answers in West Virginia, other scientists are testing Rock Creek, and another group is seeking financial support to test the rest of the Potomac to see whether they can find the same troubling effects downstream.
"Whatever's doing this to the fish may be the canary in the mineshaft," said Margaret Janes, a West Virginia activist with the Appalachian Center for the Economy and the Environment.
Scientists say it's still too early to tell what these findings will mean for the bass population in the South Branch; they aren't sure whether the affected males are still able to reproduce. And no one is aware of any effects on human health in the Potomac watershed.
But scientists believe that fish might be the first to absorb any dangerous chemicals that might later affect humans.
"They're likely to be hit first," said Mike Focazio...
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Define Bass, large mouth, small mouth....
FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.
You know it's Bush's fault. When Kerry/Edwards are elected the Bass will be healed.
The fish must be registered Democrat girlie-bass....
Do these male fish have the constitutionally guaranteed Right to Choose...?
Beltway mentality?
Small mouth, why are their males normally "intersex", or their females metrosexuals? Did you speed read the whole article?
There's a joke in there somewhere about (fish) Roe v Wade....
" Define Bass, large mouth, small mouth...."
Sea, Silver, Striper, White, Peacock...........
I deer hunt near Moorefield. As long as I don't see a buck trying to breed with another buck I don't really care about the fish.
Metrosexual Billy Bass
I recall this happening around Australia about 15 years ago or so. It was a different breed of fish, of course...but the causal agent was determined to be waste water loaded with estrogen. Turns out the birth control pills women were taking were rather potent and a lot of it was washing out in their urine. This in turn loaded the waters with enough hormonal signals to compel the male fish to turn female; a natural defense to combat overpopulation.
I wouldn't be surprised if the same were happening here.
Oh, Kerry caught one of those AGES ago. In Cambodia. An 87-footer.
The article identifies them as smallmouths.
What does that have to do with fish pathology?
No I read the article, interesting, just curious of the breeds, if you knew, Fisherman thing...
LOL!
My bad, only read the posted stuff, sorry and thanks.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.