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<br />CHAPTER 1 <br />Introduction <br />Fred P. Meyer <br />Angling is America's favorite outdoor recreation. <br />An estimated 38 million persons fish in fresh water <br />each year and an additional 12 million fish in salt <br />water. Anglers spend more than $315 million an- <br />nually in pursuing this popular sport. The number <br />of persons who go fishing continues to increase each <br />year. State and Federal fisheries resource managers <br />actively strive to maintain adequate stocks of fish <br />in the Nation's lakes and streams to meet the grow- <br />ing public demand. <br />In the public eye, any loss of fish, whether a result <br />of natural or other causes, means that fewer fish are <br />available for recreational use. Some regard fish as <br />RESOURCE PUBLICATION 177, 1990 <br />sentinel species and interpret a fish kill as a poten- <br />tial early warning of an impending environmental <br />problem. Consequently, fish kills often receive seem- <br />ingly disproportionate attention from the news <br />media. If the kills are due to toxic substances, public <br />concern usually extends beyond the losses of fish <br />because of potential human hazards related to possi- <br />ble contamination of the water supply, harmful <br />residues in fish flesh, or damage to the ecosystem. <br />For these reasons, it is important that investigators <br />be provided guidance in the techniques of how to in- <br />vestigate fish kills and how to interpret field and <br />laboratory observations. <br /> <br />Environments that are free of pollution or toxic substances are pleasant, healthy, and inviting for all forms of life.