This report presents results of the first effort since 1997 by King County Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) to monitor contaminants in market squid (Doryteuthis [Loligo] opalescens). The following contaminants were measured in squid: butyltins, metals, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlorinated pesticides, and other semivolatile organic chemicals. In 2016, King County scientists collected squid from two piers in King County that are popular destinations for recreational squid anglers: Pier 86 and Redondo Pier. The objective was to implement King County’s Tissue Monitoring Program Work Plan goals which are to understand how fish and shellfish health may be harmed by exposure to chemicals, to measure chemical contaminants in species consumed by local fishers, and to evaluate changes in chemical body burdens in fish and shellfish over time as water quality improvements are made.

Overall, arsenic, chromium, mercury, isophorone and tributyltin (TBT) concentrations were lower in 2016 than 1997, while copper and zinc concentrations were higher in 2016. Total PCB levels were comparable. Samples collected in 1997 were not analyzed for pesticides and PBDEs. Isophorone concentrations decreased, but BEHP and benzoic acid increased between 1997 and 2016. With the exception of PCBs, none of the chemical concentrations measured in 2016 exceeded the Washington State Department of Health (WDOH) high consumer or general population screening levels for metals or organics. PCB concentrations exceeded the high consumer screening level, which at a consumption rate of 14 or more ounces per week, may be a concern for human health.