Shark

Shark

Shark may contain extremely high levels of mercury contamination that pose a health risk to adults and children.

Shark populations are vulnerable to overfishing, as they mature slowly and do not reproduce quickly. Sharks can be caught and killed by fishermen when targeting other types of fish. The gear used to intentionally catch sharks – pelagic longlines – can be harmful to endangered marine mammals, seabirds and turtles. Sharks are very susceptible to stock depletion and they often possess extremely high mercury levels.

Sharks are one of Food & Water Watch’s Dirty Dozen.

Fish Lingo

Get definitions of commonly used terms in our guide. Download the PDF.

Methodology

Mercury and PCB contaminant information for the Smart Seafood Guide is drawn from Environmental Defense Fund’s Health Alert List. Environmental Defense calculates health advisories based on government databases and scientific studies Read More...

** Disclaimer

These recommendations are intended as a general reference. They are not intended to provide specific medical advice, supplant any government warnings or otherwise prevent exposure to any health hazards associated with seafood. People should always follow proper acquisition, handling and cooking procedures of any seafood they prepare or consume. The devastating April 2011 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is likely to impact availability of some seafood items on this card. For more information, see the latest government updates at http://bit.ly/gulfseafood and http://bit.ly/gulfNOAA

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* Understanding the 2011 Smart Seafood Guide PDF

The Smart Seafood Glossary

Recommended Invasive Species

Fish Lingo

Methodology

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