Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
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FISH

Fish are nutritious and good for you to eat.

  • But some fish you catch may take in toxic chemicals from the water in which they live and the food they eat.
  • Some of these chemicals build up in the fish - and in you - over time.

Although the chemical levels in many species are usually low, some fish contain contaminant levels at levels of concern for fish consumers. Also, some water bodies in the state have fish with higher contaminant levels than others.

  • OEHHA provides specific consumption advice for fish taken from many water bodies in California. Check the Safe Eating Guidelines for more information.
  • Because contamination levels are unknown for other locations, OEHHA also provides general advice on how to reduce your exposure to chemicals in sport fish—fish that you and your family or friends catch.

These fish advisories are not meant to discourage you from eating fish. Fish are an excellent source of protein and are low in saturated fats. Fish contain omega-3 fatty acids that can reduce your risk for heart disease and improve how the brain develops in unborn babies and children. Safe eating guidelines provide information to fish consumers to help them choose the safest fish to eat

Water Bodies with Fish Consumption Advisories
(Click on map to enlarge)

Fish Advisory Map

Use the links on the right side of this page to navigate and find more information about safe fish consumption.

 
 
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