Advice About Eating Fish with Mercury - Washington State Department of Health

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Statewide Fish Consumption Advisory for Mercury
(Advice About Eating Fish with Mercury)

An Important Message For

Women who might become pregnant
Women who are pregnant
Women who are nursing
Young children

Mom, dad, and young girl

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has issued a Statewide Fish Consumption Advisory for Mercury for certain species of commercial fish and recreational fish due to mercury contamination.

Too much mercury can have health impacts on everyone, but most at risk are women who might become pregnant, are pregnant, nursing, and young children. In the U.S., mercury exposure in humans is almost exclusively from eating fish. DOH and the health agencies of several other states, urge you to keep eating fish and choose fish low in mercury when you buy fish from the store or when you go fishing.

Commercial Fish Recommendations (Store Bought)

Do not eat - shark, swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, or tuna steaks.

Canned Chunk Light Tuna

Women of childbearing age should limit the amount of canned chunk light tuna they eat to two cans per week. The amount you should eat is based on your body weight see our Meal Size by Weight Table.
Children under six can eat one half can (three ounce) serving of chunk light tuna per week, plus another fish meal low in mercury that week such as; catfish, cod, flounder, pollock, salmon, shrimp, and trout. A meal size for a child under six can range from one ounce for a twenty pound child, to three ounces for a child weighing sixty pounds.

Canned White (Albacore) Tuna

Women of childbearing age should limit the amount of canned white (albacore) tuna to one can per week. The amount you should eat is based on your body weight see our Meal Size by Weight Table.
Children under six should eat less than one half a can (three ounces) of canned white (albacore) tuna per week. If your child has eaten canned white (albacore) tuna, your child should not eat any other fish that week. A meal size for a child under six can range from one ounce for a twenty pound child, to three ounces for a child weighing sixty pounds.

Recreational Fish Recommendations

Northern Pikeminnow, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Women who are or might become pregnant, nursing, or young children:

Northern Pikeminnow - DO NOT EAT
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass - No more than two meals per month

For additional information see our fact sheet (PDF) or our Statewide Bass Advisory (PDF).

Safe Fish Eating Guide and Checklist

If you might become pregnant, are pregnant, nursing, or have young children choose fish wisely, view the Healthy Fish Guide and Checklist to learn about which species of fish are low in contaminants and how much you should eat.

Additional information specific to women and children on the health affects of various contaminants including mercury, PCBs, PBDEs, and chlorinated pesticides can be found on our Advice for Women and Children page.