In large enough doses, mercury is toxic to mammals, birds, and fish. Mercury can cause severe nerve and brain damage, sight and hearing loss, and birth defects. Levels that cause serious illness have only occurred in rare situations of gross pollution or accidental poisonings.
Among the dietary routes for low-level human exposure to mercury, consumption of fish is the most common. The complex relationships between mercury, the atmosphere and marine organisms indicate that mercury contamination of certain marine fish probably predates human uses. Even if all human-related sources were removed, the problem would continue to exist for several generations.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that most marine fish have rather low levels of mercury in their flesh and that routine consumption of a variety of fish, as part of a balanced diet, should not put one at risk. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors commercial seafood for mercury. | | |
Since 1995, the FDA has recommended that pregnant women or women who may become pregnant limit their intake of shark or swordfish to one meal per month. The FDA also found that consumption advisories are unnecessary for, at least, the top ten seafood-marketed species: canned tuna, shrimp, pollock, salmon, cod, catfish, clams, flatfish, crabs, and scallops. The State of Florida has assumed the role of advising residents of potential health risks from eating non-commercially caught fish. Florida follows federal Environmental Protection Agency recommendations to test for total mercury and uses the conservative assumption that all mercury in fish flesh is toxic. The state uses a tiered health advisory format in an effort to further limit potential exposure risks. Following these guidelines, the state has issued over ninety advisories for streams, lakes, and marine waters since 1989. Marine fish advisories are complex to develop. Marine fish are not confined and can range from one area to the next. These areas can extend to include the entire state and throughout the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and South Atlantic. Mercury accumulation rates are primarily based on diet, age, and growth rate of the fish. The final factors affecting our ability to monitor mercury levels in marine fish is Florida’s vast area and limited sampling opportunities. Since 1989 the state has collected data on mercury levels in several species of marine fish from around Florida. Accurate species identification and location information is critical. The majority of collections have been made by the Florida Marine Research Institute during regular surveys and fishing tournaments. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CRITERIA FOR MERCURY ADVISORIES | 1. No Consumption. The specific fish species from the specific water body should not be eaten in any amount. 2. Limited Consumption. Women of childbearing age and children under age 10 should not eat more than 8 ounces of listed fish species from specified water bodies over a 4-week period. Others should limit consumption of listed fish species from these locations to no more than 8 ounces a week. (Note: A 4-ounce serving of raw fish is about the size of a slice of sandwich bread.) 3. Follow EPA Guidelines. Some water bodies have been tested and fish have been found to have low mercury levels. For these locations, and for locations where data is limited or not available, DOH recommends following guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These guidelines are summarized here: EPA advisories cover all water bodies in the United States and apply only to fish caught by you, your family and friends. They recommend: • Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, and nursing mothers eat no more than 8 ounces in a week's time of fish caught by themselves, family and friends. • Children under age 10 should eat no more than 3 ounces in a week's time of fish caught by themselves, family and friends. More information on EPA advisories is online. |
2003 Marine Fish Consumption Advisories For Mercury
If not listed, follow EPA guidelines. The advisories listed in the table below apply to all fish taken from marine
waters within one-day fishing trip from the water body listed. King Mackeral are measured by fork length.
Shark and Seatrout are measured by total length. Water Body | County | Species | Health Advisory | All Costal Waters | All Coastal Counties | King Mackerel greater than 39 inches
Shark greater than 43 inches | No Consumption | All Costal Waters | All Coastal Counties | King Mackerel 33 to 39 inches
Shark less than 43 inches
Spotted Seatrout greater than 20 inches
Little Tunny
Cobia
Greater Amberjack
Bluefish
Crevalle Jack | Limited | Cedar Key | Levy | Gag | Limited | Charlotte Harbor | Charlotte, Lee | Spanish Mackerel | Limited | Choctawhatchee Bay | Okaloosa, Walton | Gafftopsail Catfish | Limited | Florida Keys/
Florida Bay | Miami-Dade, Monroe | Snook
Red Drum
Great Barracuda
Spotted Seatrout
Permit
Wahoo | Limited | Indian River Lagoon | Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie | Ladyfish
Snowy Grouper
Blackfin Tuna | Limited | Tampa Bay | Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas | Spanish Mackerel
Gag
Gafftopsaid Catfish
Ladyfish | Limited | Volusia Coast | Volusia | Almaco Jack | Limited |
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