In addition to being cautious regarding the type of fish consumed, serving sizes are also recommended so that all fish is consumed safely. An adult serving size, is the size and thickness of the palm of an adult hand, likewise, a child's serving size is the size and thickness of the palm of a child's hand.
Preparing and consuming fish is important for both culture and sustenance, however it is vital that only safe fish are eaten and that they are properly prepared. When preparing fish to be cooked, you should always remove the head and guts so that you are only consuming the fillet of the fish. This does not remove all mercury-containing parts of the fish but does remove some of the tissues that contain higher levels of mercury. It is also important to remember that just because water may look clean it may still contain fish with high levels of mercury.
Be aware that fish that are safe to consume in some areas may not be safe in all areas. For more information you can visit the Delta Conservancy website at http://deltaconservancy.ca.gov/ and under the 'Programs' tab you will find 'Mercury Exposure Reduction Program (MERP)' materials and information for your area.
Special thanks to my UC Davis intern, Mariah Piepho, for her assistance on this project.
