Consumption Advisories and Outreach Materials
This section contains outreach materials from a wide variety of groups. There are a number of perspectives on the health effects of contaminants, types of sources of information, and geographical differences in advice that may result in conflicting outreach messages. Please be aware that the content in these materials may not be applicable to your region. This is not a comprehensive list of the available outreach materials; please contact the COEC if you have suggestions for other materials to include.
New York State Department of Health
Chemicals in Sportfish and Game: 2009-2010 Health Advisories
The New York State Department of Health (DOH) publishes state-wide advisories regarding the consumption of fish caught in state waterbodies. DOH recommends that women of childbearing age and children under the age of 15 eat no fish from Lake Ontario and its connecting waters. Less stringent advisories apply to other demographic groups and water bodies.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Should I Eat the Fish I Catch?
What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish
Advice for: Women who might become pregnant, women who are pregnant, nursing mothers, young children
These brochures are available in several languages on the EPA website, along with general information about mercury in fish.
Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
A Guide to Healthy Eating of the Fish You Catch
Washington State Department of Health
Fish Facts for Healthy Nutrition: Eat Fish, Be Smart, Choose Wisely
North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation
Vídeos (Videos)
La importancia de comer pescado / Importance of Eating Fish (video; Español)
Qué es mercurio / What is Mercury? (video; Español)
Las porciones correctas / Mercury and Fish Portion Sizes (video; Español)
University of Rochester Environmental Health Sciences Center, Community Outreach and Education Core
Government Recommendations for Eating Lake Ontario and Store-Bought Fish
Pocket Guides for Seafood Selection
These guides make suggestions for sustainable seafood choices when shopping in the grocery store, or choosing food at restaurants. There are many similar guides, but these two also highlight fish that are lower in contaminants, and warn against those that are high in contaminants.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Seafood Watch & Download a pocket guide for your region.
Environmental Defense Fund
Pocket Seafood Selector: Fish choices that are good for you and the ocean