Episode #86

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin, particularly harmful to young children and developing fetuses. Mercury is commonly present in fish, but in wildly different concentrations based on the life history of the species. What local fish species are safe to eat and at what amounts?

Humboldt Waterkeeper is there to help. With our guest fisheries biologist, Ross Taylor, and volunteer fishermen, Humboldt Waterkeeper tested 70 fish across nine species to examine mercury concentrations in fish. Their results? Long-lived species that eat high on the food web have the highest concentrations and should be avoided by those most sensitive to mercury. Other seafood, like salmon, oysters and clams, are good for eating frequently because of their extremely low mercury levels. 

Want to know if your fish is safe? Download these pocket-sized images for handy reference (click to print or download to your phone):

• Women <45 and Children             
• Women >45 and Men

You can also download the full report, Mercury Testing of Sport/Food Fishes from Nearshore Ocean Waters of Humboldt County, California.

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