Fish Consumption
The American Heart Association recommends we eat two servings of fish weekly because seafood offers many nutritional health benefits. But, fish also contains toxic chemicals such as PCBs and mercury. Research has shown that mercury specifically can be harmful to a developing fetus and a young child’s developing nervous system. Due to the presence of these chemicals, government agencies regularly issues advisories recommending that fish consumption be limited for certain species. The consumption advisories are generally written for the at-risk population or women, who are pregnant, nursing, may become pregnant and young children.
Consumers need to understand the benefits of making fish part of their healthy and balanced diet while recognizing the potential health risks involved in consuming certain species of fish. The conflicting information creates a level of confusion among consumers but even more specifically among the at-risk population who should be preparing and consuming fish for their health as well as the health of their family. IISG has developed programs that reach out to underserved populations about the risks and benefits of fish consumption.
News
- The HELM: IISG Fellow Find Fish Consumption Advisories Effective
- The HELM: Fish School is in Session
- Fish School Reaches New Audiences about PCB, Mercury Health Concerns
Initiatives
Fish School: Taking Stock of Risks and Benefits
This program to raise awareness about contaminants in fish involves scientists, nutritional experts, Extension educators, teachers and students in an effort to reach those who need this information the most--women in their child-bearing years and families who fish for their food.
Fostering Community Stewardship through Informal Education
Sea Grant educators work with after-school science clubs, scouts, and other informal education groups to create community stewardship projects on the benefits and risks of eating fish.
Products
The ABCs of PCBs
Contaminants in Fish and Seafood (Indiana version, Illinois version, Spanish, Polish, Chinese)
Educational Flipchart on Fish and Seafood
What You Need to Know Before You Eat that Fish (Mercury)
What You Need to Know Before You Eat that Fish (PCBs)
Research Projects
Incorporating Contaminant Levels into Models of Fishing Location Choice: An Application to Fisheries in the Great Lakes
Cameron Speir, NMFS-SEa Grant Fellowship in Marine Resource Economic
Web Links
Fish for Your Health
U.S. EPA Fish Advisories
Fish Advisories in Illinois
2008 Indiana Fish Consumption Advisory
2008 Michigan Family Fish Consumption Guide
Wisconsin Fish Consumption Advisories
U.S. EPA & FDA: What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish
