Eat Fish, Choose Wisely

Fish is good for you and part of a healthy diet. Understanding the health benefits of fish along with concerns over contamination such as mercury can be confusing. The key is to make smart choices. Choose fish that are low in mercury and other contaminants. Our advice is, “Eat fish, be smart, choose wisely!”

Tips to Reduce Contaminants

• Remove skin, organs, and fat before cooking
• Eat a variety of fish
• Eat younger and smaller fish (within legal limits)

Current Advisories

Chart below is partial list of advisories.

Although fish is a healthy part of our diet, there are 49 advisories in Washington State because of contaminants. We recommend you eat at least two fish meals per week and choose wisely. Eat a variety of fish that are low in contaminants. The chart below is not a complete list of all advisories in Washington. Most advisories in our state include fish that are good to eat, including 24 healthy fish choices!

• Before you fish, check advisories at http://www.doh.wa.gov/fishmap or call 1-877-485-7316.
• More information including advice for women and children www.doh.wa.gov/fish.

Green Sturgeon

Olive green to dark green in color. There are approximately 8-11 dorsal scutes. Vent between pelvic fins. Scutes behind vent.

White Sturgeon

Gray back shading. There are approximately 11-14 dorsal scutes. Vent behind pelvic fins. No scutes behind vent.