Healthy Fish Consumption

Fish are a lean source of protein high in Omega 3 oils. However, some fish may contain chemicals that could pose health risks. When contaminant levels are unsafe, consumption advisories may recommend that people limit or avoid eating certain species of fish caught in certain places. The following is a list of the known mercury levels in fish. You can use this as a guideline for your personal fish consumption.

  • Highest Mercury
  • Avoid eating:
  • Grouper
  • Marlin
  • Orange roughy
  • Tilefish
  • Swordfish
  • Shark
  • King Mackerel
  • Tuna (bigeye, Ahi)
  • Mackerel (Spanish and Gulf)
  • Skate
  • Cod (Alaskan)
  • Tuna (canned, chunk light)
  • Tuna (skipjack)
  • Bass (striped and black)
  • Sablefish
  • Seatrout
  • Sole
  • Crawfish/crayfish
  • Salmon (canned or fresh)
  • Shrimp
  • Clams
  • Tilapia
  • Oysters
  • Sardines
  • Sturgeon (farmed)
  • Trout (freshwater)
  • Mackerel (North Atlantic and Chub)
  • Mullet
  • High Mercury
  • Eat no more than three 6-ounce servings per month:
  • Sea Bass (Saltwater)
  • Croaker
  • Halibut
  • Tuna(canned, white albacore)
  • Tuna (Fresh bluefin, yellowfin)
  • Sea trout
  • Bluefish
  • Lobster (American/Maine)
  • Mackerel (Spanish and Gulf)
  • Skate
  • Cod (Alaskan)
  • Tuna (canned, chunk light)
  • Tuna (skipjack)
  • Bass (striped and black)
  • Sablefish
  • Seatrout
  • Sole
  • Crawfish/crayfish
  • Salmon (canned or fresh)
  • Shrimp
  • Clams
  • Tilapia
  • Oysters
  • Sardines
  • Sturgeon (farmed)
  • Trout (freshwater)
  • Mackerel (North Atlantic and Chub)
  • Mullet
  • Low Mercury
  • Eat no more than six 6-ounce servings per month:
  • Carp
  • Mahi mahi
  • Crab (Dungeness)
  • Snapper
  • Crab (blue)
  • Herring
  • Crab (snow)
  • Monkfish
  • Perch (freshwater)
  • Skate
  • Cod (Alaskan)
  • Tuna (canned, chunk light)
  • Tuna (skipjack)
  • Bass (striped and black)
  • Sablefish
  • Seatrout
  • Sole
  • Crawfish/crayfish
  • Salmon (canned or fresh)
  • Shrimp
  • Clams
  • Tilapia
  • Oysters
  • Sardines
  • Sturgeon (farmed)
  • Trout (freshwater)
  • Mackerel (North Atlantic and Chub)
  • Mullet
  • Lowest Mercury
  • Enjoy these fish:
  • Anchovies
  • Butterfish
  • Caviar (farmed)
  • Calamari (squid)
  • Crab (king)
  • Pollock
  • Catfish
  • Whitefish
  • Perch (ocean)
  • Scallops
  • Flounder
  • Haddock
  • Hake
  • Herring
  • Lobster (spiny/rock)
  • Shad (American)
  • Sole
  • Crawfish/crayfish
  • Salmon (canned or fresh)
  • Shrimp
  • Clams
  • Tilapia
  • Oysters
  • Sardines
  • Sturgeon (farmed)
  • Trout (freshwater)
  • Mackerel (North Atlantic and Chub)
  • Mullet