Mercury rising aka "Hey you, women of childbearing age!"

Mercury is a big problem in fish. The US Dept. of Helath and Human Services and the EPA make these recommendations for women of child-bearing age. Why does it matter? Women with high mercury levels exhibit no symptoms, and the mercury can cause brain damage in a developing fetus, resulting in learning disabilities and behavioral problems.

1. Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.

2. You can eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury (shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish). You can eat up to 6 oz (1 meal) of albacore tuna per week.

3. Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. If no advice is available, eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don't consume any other fish during that week."

Here's (pdf) a general guide to fish eating with regards to mercury content.

Here's the Mercury in Sushi guide.

Unfortunately, you also have to be aware of the health risks of consuming farm raised fish, like salmon (The link is for a study done on health risks of farmed salmon). Here's the kicker, "consumption of more than one meal of farmed salmon per month could pose unacceptable cancer risks according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)."

And, then, you should also consider the environmental impact of eating the Fish. Luckily the Fish List details what's good to eat and what you should avoid. For example, avoid shrimp. (oh, so sad) Why? "Wild shrimp capture techniques are wasteful, taking at least three pounds of unwanted catch for every pound of shrimp caught. Most shrimp farming operations destroy coastal habitats which also harm local fisheries."