Eating Fish is an important part of a healthy diet. Rich in vitamins and low in fat, fish contains
protein we need for strong bodies. It is also an excellent source of nutrition for proper growth and
development. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends that you eat two meals of fish or
seafood every week.
At the same time, most Florida seafood has low to medium levels of mercury. Depending on the age
of the fish, the type of fish and the condition of the water the fish lives in, the levels of mercury found
in fish are different.
While mercury in rivers, creeks, ponds and lakes can build up in some fish to levels that can be
harmful, most fish caught in Florida can be eaten without harm.
Florida specific guidelines make eating choices easier. To lower the risk of harm from mercury found
in fish caught in Florida, guidelines based on tests of various freshwater, marine and estuarine water
bodies are enclosed. This information should be used by everyone to determine the type and
amount of fish to eat or avoid.
Extra guidelines for women and young children. For most people, the risk of eating fish exposed
to mercury is not a health concern. However, developing fetuses and young children are more
sensitive to the harmful effects mercury has on the brain than other people. As a result, women of
childbearing age and young children should eat less fish than all others to avoid the higher health
risks.
Eating fish from commercial, untested or unknown sources. Some fish you eat may not have been
caught from water bodies tested for mercury. In cases where women of childbearing age, and young
children do not know if the fish has been tested, or when it has been purchased from a store or
restaurant, they should:
o Not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.
o Eat up to 12 ounces a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury. Commonly
eaten seafood that are low in mercury include Shrimp, canned Light Tuna, Salmon, Pollock and
Catfish OR
o Only eat one 6 ounce meal per month of Largemouth bass, Bowfin and Gar OR
o Eat up to 6 ounces of Albacore Tuna per week and a second meal of a fish low in mercury, since
Albacore (“White Tuna”) has more mercury than canned Light Tuna OR
o Eat up to 6 ounces of fish per week from local water bodies not listed in the brochure.
How much fish is considered a meal portion? A meal is 6 ounces of cooked fish.
How would I determine the maximum amount of fish to eat each month? Based on recommendations
in the charts, the amount of fish eaten from each water body should be added together to figure the
maximum amount of fish to eat monthly. Fish from commercial, untested or unknown sources should
also be included when figuring the total amount of fish consumed each month.
Most freshwater fish caught in Florida can be eaten without harm. Bream (such as Bluegill,
Redear sunfish, Redbreast sunfish or Spotted sunfish) and marine fish such as Mullet, Snappers,
Pompano, Flounder and Dolphin are generally low in mercury. Review the list of water bodies in this
brochure to learn which fish can be consumed regularly and which should be avoided.
Eat Healthy, Eat Smart
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