Mercury in Local Fish & Shellfish

In 2012, coastwide sampling across California found the highest mercury levels in the state in leopard shark from Humboldt Bay. In 2016 and 2019, Humboldt Waterkeeper received grants from the California Environmental Protection Agency to test mercury levels in fish caught by local subsistence, tribal, and sport fishermen to determine the magnitude of local mercury contamination in fish and shellfish in Humboldt Bay and nearshore coastal waters.
We used our findings to develop recommendations for Eating Fish Safely (in Spanish, see Comiendo Pescado Con Seguridad Pautas; in Hmong, see Yuav Ua Li Cas Noj Ntses Yam Xyuam Xim Cov Txhooj Cai Rau Humboldt Bay). To request multiple copies of these fliers for health clinics, community events, etc. please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 


Humboldt Baykeeper is about to begin a California EPA-funded study of mercury in certain Humboldt fishes. Fred Evenson of the Ecological Rights Foundation and Econews host / director of Humboldt Baykeeper Jen Kalt discussed mercury in fish in Monterey Bay's Elkhorn Slough, where a fish advisory was recently issued to protect human health.

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