In general, older and larger fish have more contaminants than younger, smaller fish. More restrictive consumption limits are recommended for sensitive populations. Sensitive populations are identified as women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, women who plan to have children, and children under 15 years of age. If PCBs or mercury have built up over time from prolonged exposure, it can take several years for the body to rid itself of the contaminant. The goal of the Indiana Fish Consumption Advisory is not to discourage the consumption of fish, but to offer guidance when choosing to eat sport-caught fish from Indiana waters.
Fish is a good source of protein that is low in saturated fat.
Research suggests consuming one-half pound of fish per week is beneficial in preventing heart disease. Therefore, it is important to gain the benefits of eating fish while minimizing the potential risk. Choose areas where lower levels of contaminants are found in fish. Keep the small fish. Data show that younger, smaller fish have less contaminants than older, larger fish.