South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

We promote and protect the health of the public and the environment.

• Fish Advisories Home
• Advisories
• Advisory Booklet
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• Are You at a Greater Risk?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Detailed Map
• Mercury vs. PCBs
• Common Fish in SC
• Brochures
• Radio PSAs
• Changes in Advisories from the previous year
• 2007 Survey Results
• Take Our Short Survey
• Making Sense of Mercury
• FDA's Seafood Advice
• EPA's National Fish Advisory Database
• Fish Advisories for other States
• Fishing games for Kids & Parents

	Mercury has the greatest effect on the growing body because the brain and nervous system is still developing.

	For this reason, some groups may be at a greater risk than others.

These high-risk groups include:

These groups should be particularly careful about the types and amounts of fish they eat from local waters.

	If you are in one of these groups, it is recommended that you follow the advice below:

• DO NOT EAT ANY fish where there is an advisory (Advisories include: do not  eat any, one meal a week, and/or one meal a month).  Click here to see a table of all the fish advisories.

• DO NOT EAT ANY king mackerel, shark, swordfish, or tilefish.
  

• Eat only one meal of freshwater (fish from lakes & rivers excluding the ocean) fish per week.

Health Effects of Mercury

	The body naturally removes small amounts of mercury from your body.

	But if you consume too much for your body to get rid of, possible signs and symptoms may occur.

To see a list of possible health effects, click here.