Smart
Did You Know?
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where health, safety and environmental
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weak or non-existent. Less than 2 percent
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for contamination. Also, many popular
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are depleted, are caught using gear that
can hurt habitat and other wildlife, and/or
contain substances like mercury or PCBs that
can cause serious health problems. These
concerns can make choosing healthful and
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recommendations for cleaner, safer,
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nationwide. For additional local alternatives
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Our Dirty Dozen  
Your Seafood
‹>OLYLPZP[MYVT& Choose domestic over
imported.
‹0ZP[JH\NO[VYMHYTLKSVJHSS`& Choose lo-
cal foods over those shipped from far away.
‹0ZP[MHYTLKVY^PSK& Choose wild, unless
otherwise stated on this card.
‹/V^PZP[JH\NO[& Ask if the method has
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caught by hook and line, handline, troll, jig
and speargun.
‹/V^PZP[MHYTLK& Choose seafood that has
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in low- or no-output, recirculating systems.
Tilapia, shrimp, sea bream and cobia are
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Avoid mercury, PCBs and antibiotics.
;PW! Try a variety of seafood. This reduces
your exposure to possible contaminants and
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have become over-popular choices.
Here’s a quick guide to our “dirty dozen” of
common seafood choices nationwide that we
Seafood
give a big thumbs down.
1. Atlantic cod
2. ([SHU[PJÅH[ÄZO, e.g. Atlantic halibut,
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Guide
3. Caviar, especially from beluga and other
wild-caught sturgeon
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5. ,LS
6. -HYTLKZHSTVU, often called “Atlantic
salmon.” Tip: don’t be fooled by “organic”
2010
salmon — it’s usually farmed internationally and
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7. 0TWVY[LK)HZH:^HP;YH (Tip: these are often
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check country of origin labels.)
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albacore and Atlantic skipjack are exempted)
www.foodandwaterwatch.org
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pollock, sole
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0M`V\SPRL! groupers, jacks, mackerel, salmon, snappers, tuna, wahoo
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advice, supplant any government warnings or otherwise prevent exposure to any health hazards associated
with seafood. People should always follow proper acquisition, handling and cooking procedures of any
seafood they prepare or consume. The devastating April 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is likely to impact
availability of some seafood items on this card. For more information, see the latest government updates at
http://bit.ly/gulfseafood and http://bit.ly/gulfNOAA
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0M`V\SPRL! calamari and octopus
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0M`V\SPRL! crab and lobster
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0M`V\SPRL! scallops
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0M`V\SPRL! shrimp
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