Use impairments of Jamaica Bay

Abstract

from the conclusion, ". . .Broad categories of use impairment in Jamaica Bay that are causing significant losses of ecological, economic or social values are 1) limited opportunities for swimming and other watercontact recreation, 2) unsafe seafoods, 3) losses of commercial and recreational fisheries, 4) loss or modification of habitat. Causes of these impairments include 1) human pathogens, 2) toxic substances and 3) excess nutrient loadings, in addition to the others mentioned previously. Measures of such impairments are not standardized, nor in many cases, totally quantifiable. The specific subsets of these impairments that have been examined are listed in Table 21. These impairments are overlapping throughout the Bay and may be caused by a variety of factors often acting synergistically. In addition, the causal agents may have both direct and indirect effects. For example, contaminants may, at low levels, directly jeopardize the health of finfish or shellfish by lowering reproductive capacity. They may indirectly affect human health via the consumption of those organisms. . ."