Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
OEHHA developed an advisory for coastal waters of California, excluding enclosed bays and coastal areas with existing advice, because of mercury and PCBs found in the fish caught from these areas.
Coastal state waters are defined as extending three nautical miles from the mean low tide line and three nautical miles beyond the outermost islands (e.g., the Channel or Farallon islands), including all waters between those islands and the coast, from the Oregon/California border to the United States/Mexico border.
Separate advisories are available for Humboldt Bay, Tomales Bay, San Francisco Bay, Elkhorn Slough, Ventura Harbor to Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Beach south of Santa Monica Pier to Seal Beach Pier, South of Seal Beach Pier to San Mateo Point, Mission Bay, and San Diego Bay.
For information relating to biotoxins from harmful algal blooms (HABs) that may be found in California water bodies, see below.
Waterbody
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Women 18-49 Years and Children 1-17 Years
6 servings a week
OR
2 servings a week
OR
1 serving a week
DO NOT EAT
Women 50 Years and Older and Men 18 Years and Older
6 servings a week
OR
4 servings a week
OR
2 servings a week
OR
1 serving a week
What is a serving?
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The recommended serving of fish is about the size and thickness of your hand. Give children smaller servings. For smaller fish species, several individual fish may be required to yield a serving.
Preparing and Cooking Fish
- For fish, eat only the skinless fillet.
- For shellfish, eat only the meat.
- Some chemicals are higher in the skin, fat, and guts.
- Remove and throw away the skin before cooking.
- Cook thoroughly and allow the juices to drain away.
Resources related to Biotoxins and Harmful Algal Blooms
At certain times of the year, recreational fishing or shellfish harvesting may be closed or under advisory in coastal waters because of the presence of marine biotoxins. Check California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Health Advisories for Finfish, Shellfish, and Crustaceans, or call California Department of Public Health’s Shellfish Biotoxin Information Line (800-553-4133) for current advisories and closures.
Fish Advisory Map
View maps of current statewide and site-specific advisories
Fish, Incident Response, Seafood Safety, and Harmful Algal Bloom Section
Sacramento Office
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 423-7572
Fish@oehha.ca.gov