Group A
Eat up to once a week Fish is a healthy, high-protein, Akule from this group low-fat food that can be a part of
Awa (milkfish)
a balanced diet for you and your Aku (skipjack tuna) family. However, some fish have Cod (butterfish)
levels of mercury that may be Yellowfin tuna ‘Ōpelu (mackerel) harmful to the developing brain. Canned albacore (white) tuna
Moi Canned light tuna* If you eat fish once a week or Mullet *OK to eat up to 2-3 times per week more, you may need to change: Pollock Channel catfish
the kinds of fish you eat Salmon Grouper
Fish small enough to fit in a Halibut how often you eat certain frying pan whole Mahimahi (dolphin fish) fish
Nairagi (striped marlin) Ika (squid or calamari) and If you are pregnant or could tako (octopus) Red devil become pregnant, breastfeeding, Scallops and shrimp Tucunare (peacock bass)
or have young children, follow
these guidelines when eating fish: Group B
~ For Other Fish ~ Eat up to once every two weeks Serving size matters. A from this group typical serving of fish is
3 ounces for a child and any type or form of (including raw, 6 ounces for an adult. If Ahi (fresh bigeye/tombo) your serving sizes are cooked, dried, smoked, or jerky): Ono (wahoo) smaller, you can eat fish
Kajiki (Pacific blue marlin) more often. Opah (moonfish)
Shark 3 ounces of fish is about Mercury builds up in the body. If
the size and thickness of you eat fish from Group B, wait Swordfish (shutome) a deck of playing cards. two weeks before eating any more fish from Group A or B.
1. What is mercury?
Mercury is a metal that can come from “Should I stop eating fish?” natural and man-made sources. It is found No! You should eat 2 – 3 servings in rocks, soil, and water. a week as part of a healthy diet. 2. Why is mercury in fish harmful? Don’t stop eating fish!
Mercury can be very harmful to the
brain and even small amounts can 5. What if I have already been eating damage a brain that is just starting to more than advised? form or grow. That’s why young Mercury leaves the body slowly. If you have children as well as unborn and breast- eaten more than you should, do not eat any fed babies are at the most risk. of the fish that should be limited for a few Too much mercury may affect a child’s months. behavior and lead to learning problems
later in life. 6. Is there more I can find out about
mercury in our fish? No one knows what the “safe” level of mercury is. However, the advice in this fact sheet is designed with a safety factor to For more information:
protect against harm. https://www.epa.gov/fish-tech/2017-epa-fda- advice-about-eating-fish-and-shellfish
3. How do fish get high levels of
mercury? or call the
Fish take in mercury from water as it Hawai‘i Department of Health passes over their gills. (808) 586-4249 As reef animals and small fish absorb this harmful substance it stays inside
their bodies.
As bigger fish eat small fish, the
mercury levels increase. Those at “the
top of the food chain” are the ones with
the high levels.
David Ige, Governor 4. Can cooking fish get rid of the Bruce S. Anderson Ph.D, Director of Health
mercury?
No, there is no method of cooking or
cleaning fish that will reduce the amount of mercury. Pregnant women should enjoy This institution is an equal opportunity provider. cooked fish and not eat raw fish as raw fish 4/2019 may have bacteria that can harm your baby.