Michigan department of health and human services (MDHHS) will expand its eat safe fish (ESF) community engagement to reduce public exposure to chemical contaminants in fish across michigan

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 awarded $947,108 to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services under the Geographic Programs - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (CFDA 66.469) Project Grant, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2028. The grant supports expansion of the Eat Safe Fish (ESF) program to reduce public exposure to chemical contaminants in fish across Michigan. Primary deliverables include annual updated Eat Safe Fish consumption advisory guides based on testing results for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, and dioxin across various fish species and bodies of water. Direct engagement activities with shoreline anglers, community events, and fishing communities will distribute these guides and provide educational presentations designed to increase public awareness and promote safer fish consumption practices among anglers, local residents, and visitors who consume locally caught fish.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services sub-awarded program coordination and community engagement responsibilities to Friends of the Detroit River, a nonprofit organization specializing in environmental conservation and restoration in Southeast Michigan. This collaborative approach leverages both the state agency's public health expertise and the nonprofit's established community relationships to maximize outreach effectiveness and program implementation across Michigan's Great Lakes region.

Activities:activities include direct engagement with shoreline anglers, engagement at community events, distribution of eat safe fish guides, and presentations in fishing communities.subrecipient:subaward activities include program coordination and community engagement efforts.outcomes:deliverables include annual eat safe fish guides: with updated consumption advisories for various fish species and bodies of water, based on testing results for chemicals like pcbs, mercury, and dioxin. Expected outcomes are increased public awareness and safer fish consumption practices. Beneficiaries include anglers, local residents, and visitors that may consume locally caught fish.