The advisory is largely based on a new protocol developed by the Great Lakes states. Using the new protocol, advisories offer meal-specific advice. Instead, this advisory helps people plan what fish to keep as well as how often and how much of their catch to eat. People who regularly eat sport fish, women of childbearing age and children are most susceptible to contaminants that build up in fish over time. Those people should space fish meals out according to the advisory.
Spacing meals helps prevent contaminants from building to harmful levels in the body.
Women beyond childbearing years and men face fewer health risks from contaminants but should also follow the advisory. When properly prepared, fish provide a diet high in protein and low in saturated fats. Many doctors suggest that eating a half-pound of fish each week is helpful in preventing heart disease. People can get the health benefits of eating fish and reduce their exposure to contaminants by properly cleaning and cooking the fish. Anglers should properly clean, skin and trim any fish they catch to reduce their exposure to contaminants.