part of a fishing line on one of kingman island\u2019s docks. (photo by grace erwin)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nthe national park service released an official advisory on consumption of fish from the anacostia river, complete with a list of the exact amounts of each type of fish that could be consumed. <\/strong>richardson expressed concern for the amount of fish the subsistence fishermen were eating and in turn exposing their families to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cif that\u2019s what they have to do to put food on their table, i don\u2019t know that i could be the judge of that,\u201d richardson said. <\/p>\n\n\n
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sign at kingman island that shows the river\u2019s native fish. (photo by crosslin silcott)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nmolner said that during the anacostia riverkeeper fishing events, staff members would often approach and converse with subsistence fishermen on the dock. she said that they often start the conversation by asking what the fishermen are doing and if they plan on keeping the fish, before beginning to educate them about the risks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cwe talk a lot about it and it\u2019s a really great moment to educate folks and, also, correct some thoughts that they might have that are either outdated or just not true,\u201d molner said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
although consuming fish from the river is still considered dangerous, richardson said that she has watched the state of the river improve over time. one indication that the fish are becoming more safe to eat is that eagles are now catching fish from the anacostia to feed to their young. that does not necessarily mean they\u2019re safe for humans, but richardson described it as a \u201cgood sign.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n
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bridges leading into kingman island. (photo by grace erwin)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nalong with the subsistence fishermen, there are also residents who enjoy catch and release fishing on the river. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
jerome smith and his wife have been fishing in d.c. their entire lives, and never miss an opportunity to set up their folding chairs and tackle box <\/strong>right on the seawall at anacostia park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201ci\u2019ve been fishing on the anacostia river forever,\u201d smith said, \u201cbut i always throw them back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
molner said that the anacostia river has a long history of neglect and misuse, from the time of colonization. the late 1800s is when she said the \u201ctrue toxins came in,\u201d due to the dumping of refrigerator coolants and coal ash into the river, along with bomb testing in the river outside of navy yard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
despite the damaging past that the river has endured, richardson said that the overall quality of the anacostia seems to be getting better over the years, pointing primarily to dc water\u2019s new tunnel system that has reduced sewer overflows to the anacostia by 90 percent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cthat\u2019s the best thing that has happened,\u201d richardson said, \u201ci think that\u2019s going to yield some really positive outcomes for the river being cleaner.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n
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storm water quality device along the anacostia river sea wall, advising passerby\u2019s not to dump their waste. (photo by grace erwin)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\na cleaner anacostia could mean a lot of positive benefits for residents of lower income communities. richardson said it could lead to more people learning to swim, and having better mental health. she said she longs for the day when people living in underprivileged communities learn how to swim, because it\u2019s free. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cyou don\u2019t have to pay to swim in a river that belongs to your city and your community,\u201d richardson said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
but unfortunately, according to richardson, it is just not realistic right now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cmany of us can\u2019t afford to do it,\u201d richardson said, \u201cnot because it\u2019s not free, but because we don\u2019t know how to swim.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
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waterfront view from one of kingman island\u2019s docks. (photo by crosslin silcott)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nthere is still a long way to go to heal the generations-old wounds burdening the anacostia. . <\/p>\n\n\n\n
richardson said that there has been a lot of water quality monitoring and politicking needed to get the river into better shape, but teaching residents about sustainability is most important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cmother earth takes really good care of us,\u201d richardson said. \u201cso it is our responsibility to take better care of her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n