Fish Facts - Part 2

Tilefish, Swordfish, Shark and King Mackerel

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends eating fish with mercury levels that are less than 0.5, but each of these exceed that number.  Tilefish (1.45), Swordfish (0.995), Shark (0.979), and King Mackerel (0.730).  The EPA suggest you never eat either of these fish more than once a month.  According to Charlie Seltzer, MD, Anti-aging Specialist, “regular consumption can cause mercury toxicity, which can lead to severe memory, hearing, speech, vision and coordination issues.

Tuna

This is one of my favorite so it was with great disappointment that I found it as one of the bad fish.  It can be consumed but very carefully.  Due to its extensive appeal and widespread availability, most canned tuna manufacturers depend on longline fishing for hefty hauls.  According to Dr. Seltzer, “big fish eat small fish.  So the top of the food chain, including adult albacore, has higher levels of contaminants from the fish below them.  Troll or pole fishing tend to catch younger fish with lower levels of mercury so check the packaging of your canned tuna to make sure that it has not been caught with a longline and be sure to eat no more than one 6 oz. serving per week.”

So what is a longline? 

It uses a long line, called the main line, with baited hooks attached at intervals by means of branch lines called snoods.  A snood is a short length of line, attached to the main line using a clip or swivel, with the hook at the other end.  Longlines are classified mainly by where they are placed in the water.  They can be at the surface or at the bottom.  Lines can also be set by means of an anchor, or left to drift.  Hundreds or even thousands of baited hooks can hang form a single line. 

I checked the cans of tuna I have in my pantry and none of the 2 brands tell how their fish is caught, nor where, and both brands are 2 of the leading.