Fish Consumption Advisories
Florida's freshwater and marine fish are generally considered safe to eat. However, certain fish can be potentially unhealthy to eat because those fish can take up contaminants from the water they live in and from the food they eat. Fish may contain different levels of contaminants based on their location, size, age, length of life, and feeding habits. Although pesticides, algal toxins, and other manmade compounds are of interest to health officials, mercury is currently the contaminant of greatest concern in Florida's fish.
Since 1983, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the Florida Department of Health (DOH) have been actively investigating the occurrence of mercury in Florida's freshwater and marine environments. This multi-agency effort has focused on surveying important marine and freshwater bodies and species of fish throughout the state. 
Florida's diverse aquatic resources are threatened by many human activities that can affect water quality and fish habitat and increase the likelihood of contaminants accumulating in water and fish.
Project staff members (of the FWCC) monitor changes in water quality and levels of contaminants. Publications such as Florida's 2006 Fish Consumption Guide are put out periodically in response to a growing concern of the risk of contaminated fish.
While there are Freshwater Health Advisories and Saltwater Health Advisories, FPPAEA Members have done an extraordinary job in maintaining areas with little to no advisories based on dioxin contamination near our facilities.
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
