Fish that Contain High and Low Amounts of Mercury

The Natural Resources Defense Council List of Fish that Contain Low and High Amounts of Mercury

Aug. 21, 2009— -- Low Mercury Fish:

Akagai (ark shell) 1

Anago (conger eel) 1

Aoyagi (round clam)

Awabi (abalone) 1

Ayu (sweetfish)

Ebi (shrimp)*

Hamaguri (clam)

Hamo (pike conger; sea eel) 1

Hatahata (sandfish)

Himo (ark shell) 1

Hokkigai (surf clam)

Hotategai (scallop)*

Ika (squid)

Ikura (salmon roe)

Kaibashira (shellfish)

Kani (crab)

Karei (flatfish)

Kohada (gizzard shad)

Masago (smelt egg)

Masu (trout)

Mirugai (surf clam)

Sake (salmon)

Sayori (halfbeak) 1

Shako (mantis shrimp)

Tai (sea bream) 1

Tairagai (razor-shell clam) 1

Tako (octopus)

Tobikko (flying fish egg)

Torigai (cockle)

Tsubugai (shellfish)

Unagi (freshwater eel) 1

Uni (sea urchin roe)

High Mercury Fish:

Ahi (yellowfin tuna)

Aji (horse mackerel) 1

Buri (adult yellowtail) 1

Hamachi (young yellowtail) 1

Inada (very young yellowtail) 1

Kanpachi (very young yellowtail) 1

Katsuo (bonito) 1

Kajiki (swordfish)*

Maguro (bigeye*, bluefin* or yellowfin tuna)

Makjiki (blue marlin)*

Meji (young bigeye*, bluefin* or yellowfin tuna)

Sawara (Spanish mackerel)

Seigo (young sea bass)*

Shiro (albacore tuna)

Suzuki (sea bass)*

Toro (bigeye*, bluefin* or yellowfin tuna)

* Fish in Trouble! These fish are perilously low in numbers or are caught using environmentally destructive methods.
1. Mercury levels specific to these fish were not available and instead were extrapolated from fish with similar feeding patterns.
Sources for NRDC's guide: The data for this guide to mercury in fish comes from two federal agencies: the Food and Drug Administration, which tests fish for mercury, and the Environmental Protection Agency, which determines mercury levels that it considers safe for women of childbearing age.

Lower mercury: Less than 0.29 parts per million

High mercury: More than 0.3 parts per million