Choose Fish and Shellfish Wisely

Stay Healthy by Eating Fish and Shellfish Wisely

Fish are an important part of a healthy diet. They are a lean, low‐calorie source of protein. However, some fish may contain chemicals that could pose health risks if these fish are eaten in large amounts.


Protect Yourself

EPA works to make information accessible in a variety of formats to encourage people to eat fish as part of a healthy diet. These resources provide information on specific fish species that are safer to eat and have no restrictions.

"Should I Eat the Fish I Catch" Brochure

Fisherman holding a salmon he just caught.

The purpose of this brochure is not to discourage you from eating fish. It is to help you select and prepare fish that are low in chemical pollutants. By following these recommendations, you and your family can continue to enjoy the benefits of eating fish.

Fish Key Chain Tags!

Photo of the Fish Key Tag
Click to enlarge image

Can't remember how many meals per week of fish to eat? Keep this information at your fingertips with this helpful fish key tag. To order please visit National Service Center for Environmental Publications and search for EPA-823-E-06-004.

Fresh and Frozen Seafood: Selecting and Serving it Safely

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has developed basic food safety tips for buying, preparing, and storing fish and shellfish to help you and your family safely enjoy the fine taste and good nutrition of seafood.

Protect Your Children

EPA provides information to encourage

  • young children
  • women who may become pregnant
  • pregnant women
  • nursing mothers

to consume species of fish that are safe to eat.

Joint Federal Advisory for Mercury in Fish

Mercury poses a significant health threat to women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children. To address this, EPA and FDA joined forces to issue a new draft public health advisory in 2014 to provide advice on eating fish that are low in mercury.

This is a proposed update the first joint advisory issued in 2004.

Advice for Women of Childbearing Age and Young Children

One Fish, Two Fish advice poster from EPA
One Fish, Two Fish advice poster from EPA

EPA’s One Fish, Two Fish poster provides you with an easy way to remember information about the amount of fish women of childbearing age and children can safely eat.


Want to learn more?

EPA's Technical Resources provides more information for fish tissue studies information and other fish consumption advisory data and reports.

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