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Consumption of Fish and Seafood

Fish and seafood are an important part of a healthy diet. Fish and shellfish, collectively referred to as fish, contain high-quality protein and other essential nutrients, are low in saturated fat, and contain omega-3 fatty acids. You should eat 8 to 12 ounces of a variety of fish every week from choices that are lower in mercury and high in omega-3 fatty acids. The nutritional value of fish and seafood is important during growth and development before birth, in early infancy for breastfed infants, in childhood, and adults.

Women who are pregnant might become pregnant or are breastfeeding, and young children should consume fish based on 3 categories:

1) Best Choices
2) Good Choices
3) Fish to Avoid

• Eat 8-12 ounces (2-3 servings) of a variety of fish a week from the “Best Choices” list OR 1 serving from the “Good Choices” list

  • The “Best Choices” have the lowest levels of mercury

  • A serving for an adult is 4 ounces

• The “Fish to Avoid” list includes 7 types of fish that typically have higher mercury levels

  • Tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, shark, swordfish, orange roughy, bigeye tuna, marlin, and king mackerel 

• For young children, 1-2 servings of fish a week starting at age 2
  

  • Serving sizes should be smaller and adjusted for age and total calorie needs.

  • A serving for children age 4-7 is 2 ounces
    
    

• When eating fish you or others have caught from streams, rivers, and lakes, pay attention to fish advisories on those water bodies. Please note the interactive map below or check this table for species and sizes of fish from South Dakota bodies of water where limited consumption is advised.

  • If advice isn't available, eat only one serving and no other fish that week. 
    
    

  • Clean and trim fish of fat and skin, since locally-caught fish may contain contaminants besides mercury that can be reduced by proper trimming and cooking (e.g. broiling instead of frying can reduce some contaminants by letting fat drip away from the fish).

• Find more detail on this mercury and fish consumption FAQ

 

Consumption Advisories for South Dakota Rivers and Lakes

Fish from South Dakota lakes and rivers are tested for metals, pesticides, and PCBs as a collaborative effort of the South Dakota Departments of Game, Fish & Parks, Agriculture & Natural Resources, and Health. Please note the interactive map below or check this table for species and sizes of fish from South Dakota bodies of water where limited consumption is advised. The red triangles indicate bodies of water with consumption advisories and green fish indicate a body of water where fish tested low in mercury and other contaminants. Click on each symbol for details. For a complete table of water bodies tested in South Dakota, visit this Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources website.

 

 

For more information contact:

Aaron Leingang, SD Dept. of Ag and Natural Resources, 605-773-3351 John Lott, SD Department of Game, Fish & Parks, 773-4508  John Osburn, SD Dept. of Health, 605-394-6064

Related links

• South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources
• South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks
• South Dakota Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
• Eating Fish: What Pregnant Women and Parents Should Know - FDA & EPA