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5. Why Small Amounts of Pollution Can Cause Big Problems for Fish in Canada

Why Small Amounts of Pollution Can Cause Big Problems for Fish in Canada

Podcast

August 12, 2010
New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, New Brunswick
Speaker: Dr. Karen Kidd, Canada Research Chair and Professor of Biology, Canadian Rivers Institute, University of New Brunswick

Karen Kidd, Ph.D., describes the effects of mercury and estrogen pollution on fish populations. She notes that even very small concentrations of either of these contaminants can cause severe effects in fish.

Mercury contamination can interfere with the nervous system and estrogen can lead to reproductive problems, including the feminization of fish.

Kidd explains that there are a lot of similarities in how fish and humans respond to environmental pollutants. She emphasizes that it makes sense to protect fish health in order to help protect our own well-being.

This lecture was part of Voices: A Canadian Perspective on Water, the RBC National Lecture Series.