Based on discussions at the 2023 Annual Meeting and follow-up scoping of potential microplastics studies, the Reservoir Fisheries Habitat Partnership decided not to pursue a Multistate Conservation Grant this year. However, it is hopeful of preparing a high-quality application next year, with your help!
Much remains unknown regarding microplastics, but current scientific findings support the ideas that:
- Microplastics are omnipresent in aquatic ecosystems
- Microplastics derive from many human sources, including clothing, tires, and stormwater pollution
- Microplastics correlate with significant lethal and sublethal health effects, well-demonstrated in fish and invertebrates and with increasing evidence in humans
As an entity that supports the improvement of fish habitat, the partnership does sometimes utilize plastic, and thus the Science and Data Committee urges support of the best information available to guide artificial fish habitat placements. In partnership with Schreiner University, RFHP hopes to submit a multi-year proposal next spring in which artificial fish habitats with known properties are placed and monitored to examine their breakdown and susceptibility to varying environmental conditions in real-time. To design the best study possible, the lead investigator Dr. Kiley Miller needs more baseline information.
If you are willing and have plastic structures deployed of any type and age (but especially PVC or HDPE), please submit your samples to him as soon as possible!
How to Submit a Sample
Complete the sample metadata form here. You will be asked to provide the GPS location of the structure, the typical environment in which it sits, and how long it has been deployed. Fill out this form once per plastic sample, as many times as needed.
A 4" section of the plastic material should be removed from the structure and placed alone in a quart-size freezer bag. Samples do not need to be frozen or preserved, and shipping does not need to be expedited. Ship samples to:
Schreiner University
c/o: Kiley Miller, Chemistry Dept
2100 Memorial Blvd
CMB 6341
Kerrville, TX 78028-5500
Questions?
Contact Rebecca Krogman, Science and Data Committee, with any questions.