The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides a voluntary inspection service to the seafood industry. (NOAA photo)

A recent lab study by Oceana found mercury levels in store-bought tuna and swordfish may be much higher than levels that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers safe. Once mercury levels reach above 1 part per million (p.p.m.) in fish, the FDA considers this the “action level” and can remove the unsafe fish from stores. The nationwide study found one-third of tested tuna were above the action level and two-thirds of the tested swordfish exceeded the action level.

Of the four Florida locations where yellowfin tuna was tested for mercury, the results averaged above 1 p.p.m. All the Florida stores tested were Publix Super Markets. The results were: St. Petersburg 1.8 p.p.m., Miami .93 p.p.m., Orlando .82 p.p.m. and Lakeland .77 p.p.m.

“We were shocked that mercury levels in tuna were as high as those in many of the fish on FDA’s ‘do not eat’ list,” said Oceana senior campaign director Jacqueline Savitz.

Fish with high mercury levels can affect, in particular, young children and women of child-bearing age. Mercury is a leading cause of birth defects. In 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and FDA formally advised women of that age group and young children that they could eat up to 12 ounces of low-mercury seafood per week, but to avoid swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel and shark.

To highlight healthy fish dishes for kids, consider the KidSafe Seafood Campaign (www.kidsafeseafood.org). This collaborative effort between chefs, pediatricians and seafood experts helps parents serve more nutritious seafood to their children. There are great benefits to eating fish, including heart-healthy Omega 3s and lean protein. KidSafe Seafood recommends wild Alaskan salmon, fresh tilapia, farmed blue mussels, Northern U.S. and Canadian shrimp, and U.S-farmed crayfish and bay scallops as their best choices.

Of the two Florida locations tested for swordfish, each a Publix supermarket, a St. Petersburg store tested at 1.5 p.p.m., and a Miami store tested at 0.79 p.p.m. Some areas in New York and Connecticut had swordfish test above 2 p.p.m., more than twice the FDA action level. Two-thirds of swordfish tested were above the FDA action level, which would permit the administration to remove these fish from sale.

Tilapia from grocery stores, and cero and Spanish mackerel in sushi restaurants are good low-mercury alternatives, finds the study.

To help prevent future health problems, Oceana asks all the major grocery chains nationwide to post the EPA and FDA mercury advice at the point of sale. Five major companies, including roughly 3,000 grocery stores, have voluntarily agreed to post this information already.

Florida recreational swordfishermen and tuna fishermen should be aware that all but one test from Florida locations came from either USA or Costa Rican waters.