The Mercury Forum

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Mercury in the environment has been a major item on the environmental front for the past 30-plus years. During that period, there has been substantial research concerning mercury's health effect and how it moves into and through the food chain. Over the last several years, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration have issued fish advisories concerning, among other things, mercury levels in recreationally-caught fish. At the present time 41 states have issued fish advisories.

During 2001, the issue of seafood with high levels of methylmercury was raised in a series of articles appearing the Mobile Register. Most stakeholder groups have expressed a desire to participate in addressing the methylmercury issue in coastal Alabama and northern Gulf of Mexico. This science-based program will serve as a forum for scientists, educators, consumer groups, environmentalists, industry, and policy makers to learn more about methylmercury in the environment. The meeting will also serve as a first step toward developing a comprehensive plan for addressing the issue that involves all stakeholder groups.

On May 20-21, 2002, the Mercury Forum brought together more than 280 health professionals, consumer representatives, seafood industry representatives, fishery resource stewards, environmental groups, local, state, and federal government agencies, elected officials, educators, and those involved with the oil and gas, electric power, and other industries, including U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama. His personal communication with President Bush just prior to the Forum resulted in the establishment of a special task force to look into the Gulf Mercury issue. Senator Sessions' commitment set the tone for the meeting, and the other speakers and attendees echoed this commitment and concern in the discussions that followed each session of the meeting. The culmination of hundreds of ideas and opinions resulted in a list of 17 pro-active recommendations that everyone prioritized at the end of the meeting.