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I JOSEPH B. HUNN U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, for example, does not permit its employees to enter sites classified as level A or B. Human safety is more important than documenting the number of fish killed. Coordinating a fish kill investigation starts even before you go into the field. A specific case number should be assigned to the investigation and used on all labels, tags, data sheets, photographs, and other records related to the incident. A number of flow charts (Fig. 2.1) have been published to help coor- dinate fish kill investigations (Hill 1983; Davis 1986), and each agency's procedures should always be followed, if they are available. Be sure to contact all agency officials who need to know about the kill. The names and telephone numbers of supervisors and other persons or agencies to be notified of a reported kill should also be on hand. If more than one agency is involved in the investigation, keep all other par- ticipants in the investigation fully informed so that the investigation can be done safely and effective- ly. However, as stressed below, it is important that only one spokesperson be designated to answer ques- tions from the media. It is imperative that a sample identification system be in place before samples are collected in the field. The same unique numbering system for each sample or subsample should be used by all parties dealing with sample collection and processing (for further information, see Chapter 7). It is important that the investigator communicate with the analytical agency or group before samples are collected, and that methods to be followed for sample preparation and analysis are agreed upon. Discussions between the analysts and the investigator will help determine the needed sample types, numbers, and sizes; the sample identification system; collection protocols; preserva- tion methods; chain-of-custody requirements; the analyses to be made; when results can be expected; the format of the report; and how and by whom the results will be used. Selection of the appropriate analytical method is important because the method influences both the reliability and the cost of analysis (Keith et al. 1983). Publicity and News Releases In a fish kill investigation, one person should be designated by the agencies involved to be the con- tact person for the news media. This restriction helps avoid contradictions and embarrassment to in- vestigators and their agencies. Publicity and news releases during the entire period of the investiga- tion should be limited to factual accounting of the conditions observed. Conjecture as to the probable cause of the mortality or the persons or company that might be responsible must be avoided. Infor- mation that might be released would include a description of the fish mortality, its extent, when it was first observed, the duration of the kill, and the names of agencies and personnel involved in the in- vestigation. The designated contact person should handle any later news interviews or releases. Endangered Species If a kill of an endangered fish species occurs, or if a fish kill occurs in an area known to contain an endangered species, it is critical that law enforce- ment personnel of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service be notified immediately (see Appendix H).