University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources faculty will hold a public meeting June 24 on the risks and benefits of eating fish.
UNCE Nutrition Specialist Kerry Seymour will discuss the dietary benefits and risks of eating fish. Seymour also will review The American Heart Association's recommendations for eating fish and compare them to fish consumption patterns of Nevadans determined by a public survey.
"Sometimes we see pretty scary headlines telling us to avoid fish because of mercury and other contaminants, but we should bear in mind that there are significant benefits to eating fish," Seymour said.
In Nevada, fishermen are advised to catch and release fish from Lahontan Reservoir and the Carson River below Dayton because of elevated levels of mercury. Mercury in these fish is derived primarily from mining activity that occurred in the late 1800s.
Seymour said members of vulnerable groups - women who are pregnant or may become pregnant and small children - should avoid eating larger fish like shark, albacore and swordfish which can accumulate more mercury over a longer lifespan.