Which Fish?

While fish can be one of our healthiest foods, some varieties also serve an unwanted side dish of mercury or other toxins (see box, below). You can use the lists below to choose the safest seafood for your family as well as for the oceans' ecological balance.

Eat "Yes" fish - they're freer of toxins and fishing them has a low impact on the environment. Avoid "No" fish - they contain more mercury and/or are overfished, or caught in ways that kill non-target species, such as turtles and dolphins, as accidental "bycatch."

In addition, check with the state department of health before eating fish from local fresh or ocean waters, as worrisome levels of PCBs as well as pesticides and other industrial chemicals may be present. Due to high mercury levels, young children and women who are pregnant (or may be in the future) should avoid "No" fish with the mercury legend.

To be sure you're picking right, ask your merchant or restaurateur where a fish comes from. While most Atlantic species are overfished, sounder management policies are helping to restore populations to sustainable levels. Action Alert: Urge your Representatives to support H.R. 2570 the Fisheries Recovery Act, which would conserve populations and eventually put more fish back on our "Yes" list! Call the Capitol Switchboard, 202/224-3121, or send e-mail via www.house.gov/writereps/

NO Fish

Brand
Blue Crab, Gulf of Mexico
Chilean seabass/ Patagonian toothfish
Cod, Atlantic
Groupers
Flatfish, Atlantic (flounder, sole, plaice)
Haddock
Halibut, Atlantic
Halibut, Pacific
Lobsters
Mackerel
Mahimahi
Ocean perch
Orange roughy
Oreo dory
Oysters, Eastern & Gulf of Mexico
Pollock, Atlantic
Rockfish, Pacific
Scallops, wild (except from Georges Bank)
Shark
Shrimp, wild (farmed has harmful env.l impact)
Snappers
Striped
Swordfish
Tuna, yellowfin
Tuna, bluefin