California Academy of Sciences Aquatic Biology
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  California Academy of Sciences Seafood Guide
  California Academy of Sciences Seafood Guide » [240 KB PDF]

MERCURY CONTAMINATION OF SEAFOOD

Mercury contamination of seafood is a persistent public health threat that poses a significant risk to children and women of child-bearing age. While some mercury is naturally occurring in the environment, activities such as the burning of coal for power generation and industrial processes such as battery manufacturing have redistributed the substance and created mercury compounds that are toxic even at extremely low levels of exposure.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration warns pregnant women, children and women who might become pregnant to avoid eating swordfish, shark, tilefish and king mackerel and reduce their intake of tuna because of the high methylmercury levels these species contain.

The longline fishing fleets that target swordfish and tuna are also catching and killing endangered sea turtles and many other marine species thereby profoundly upsetting the ecological balance of the world's oceans.

Out of Control and Close to Home: Mercury Pollution From Power Plants
Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that poses a major public health threat. Because mercury can interfere with development, fetuses and children are most at risk. Mercury pollution from electric utilities remains completely unregulated. While other industries have achieved considerable reductions in mercury emissions, mercury pollution from electric utilities is predicted to increase. Reducing power plant pollution is critical to lowering local mercury hot spots and avoiding the dangerous contamination of fish, wildlife and people.

Mercury Resources:
Mercury Calculator: http://www.gotmercury.org/
Oceans Alive: Mercury in Fish and Shellfish
Environmental Working Group: Mercury in Seafood
Sea Turtle Restoration Project Fact Sheet: Mercury Dangers: Mercury, Seafood, Sea Turtles & You
Mercury Policy Project
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mercury web site
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish

Dioxin, PCBs, & Pesticides in Fish and Shellfish:
Dioxins in Fish and Shellfish
PCBs in Fish and Shellfish
Pesticides in Fish and Shellfish

Seafood Sustainability:
Oceans Alive: Best and Worst Seafood Choices
Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch
Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch: Troubled Waters