National Listing of Fish and Wildlife Advisories - Federal Advisories
 

Federal Fish Consumption Advisories and Contaminant Data

Federal Fish Advisories

In January 2001, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued national advice to women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children regarding consumption of fish that may contain mercury. Fish can be an important source of nutrition; however, some fish contain harmful levels of the pollutant mercury which can harm the developing brain and nervous system. You can avoid the risks associated with mercury and still get the health benefits of eating fish by following the National Advisories issued by EPA and FDA:

EPA Advice for Fish Caught in Local Freshwaters
 EPA has issued national advice to women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children on the number of meals of fish caught in local freshwaters that are safe to eat each week. For specific information, please read EPA's National Advisory

FDA Advice for Commercial Fish Bought in Stores and Restaurants
 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued advice to women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children on eating commercial fish bought in stores and restaurants. The advisory states that shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish pose the greatest risk and should not be consumed by pregnant women, children, or nursing mothers. For specific information, please read FDA's National Advisory fact sheet

Federal Fish Tissue Contaminant Data

The US Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Environmental Quality has collected fish tissue contaminant data from a number of different regions of the country. Click on the region below to link to the program, and then follow site linke to find the publications. Many of the publications contain data on fish tissue and other environmental contaminants.

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Revised July, 2001