Mercury Concentrations in Fish from Irish Waters in 1994

Abstract

During 1994, a total of 65 samples, covering the commercially important fish and shellfish species, were collected and the edible portion analysed for total mercury content in accordance with the European Commission's Decision of 19 May 1993. In fish, including prawns, the concentration of mercury ranged from 0.01 to 0.21 with a mean of 0.06 and in shellfish from 0.01 to 0.13 with a mean of 0.04mg/kg wet weight. These levels are low and are well within the maximum limits, 0.05mg/kg wet weight, set by the EC for mercury in fisheries products. This survey confirms previous studies that show Irish seafoods are effectively free from mercury contamination.