Some fish have received more attention than others. In an effort to better understand the behavior of Tomales Bay halibut, hundreds of fish have been tagged and released in the last six years. Initial data from capturing them again show that these fish move in and out of the bay quite freely, and, in fact, travel up and down the coast. Tagged fish have been caught off Ten Mile Beach, Half Moon Bay, and Santa Cruz. Similarly, halibut that have been tagged in San Francisco Bay and off Bolinas have been recaptured here in Tomales Bay.
Comparisons are a fundamental way of processing the data that are available.
Consider what is known about halibut. The Tomales Bay study showed an average mercury concentration of 0.26 parts per million. Statistically, there is no more or less mercury in Tomales Bay halibut than in any other halibut consumed in this country. There is a substantial level of mercury in all halibut, including those that were just tested in Tomales Bay. The qualifications and limitations of the Tomales Bay health advisory do not mean that it should be ignored or dismissed.