Mercury in Fish (Last updated September 2011) Fish is an
excellent source of protein. Low in saturated fat and high in
unsaturated fat and omega 3 oils, fish is also a rich source of
iodine so everyone, especially pregnant women, should regularly
include fish in their diet. People can safely eat 2–3 serves a
week of most types of fish. However, because of the presence of
higher levels of mercury in some fish there are a few types you
should limit in your diet, especially if you are pregnant.
Pregnant women, women planning pregnancy and young children
should eat shark (flake), broadbill, marlin and swordfish no
more than once a fortnight and should not eat any other fish
during that fortnight. Orange roughy and catfish should be eaten
no more than once a week, and no other fish should be eaten
during that week. The general population should also only eat
shark (flake), broadbill, marlin and swordfish once per week and
no other fish that week. The named fish may contain more mercury
than other species because t