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  2. Choose Fish and Shellfish Wisely

Fish Images to Use with Fish Advisories

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency developed a set of images to convey fish parts that should not be eaten to reduce possible exposure to chemicals among target fish-eating populations. People should not eat parts of the fish where there is known chemical contamination that can cause health problems. This is particularly true for sensitive populations (e.g., pregnant females and children) and people who are subsistence fish consumers. Individuals in sensitive populations as well as subsistence fish consumers are particularly susceptible to negative health effects from eating contaminated fish.

States, Tribes and other entities can use these images in conjunction with written fish consumption advisories to communicate visually with target populations by showing different parts of the fish. These images are not meant to stand alone. 

Customization Capability

States, territories and Tribes can insert a QR code and their respective website link using the placeholders in each image to direct audiences to information on local fish consumption advisories.

The placeholders [within brackets, i.e. specific state, territory, or Tribe website and the QR code] in these PDFs are editable with Adobe Acrobat Pro or alternate PDF editing software. A state, territory or Tribe can contact the EPA for a more easily editable version of the fish images, especially if they want to customize the image by changing the color of fish parts depending on where the contaminants bioaccumulate. Requests should be directed to fish_advisory@epa.gov.

Languages

Each image has wording tailored for that culture. English translations and a detailed description of the focus group process are available in the report:

  • EPA Fish Focus Group Final Report (pdf) (8.63 MB, September 2024, 820-R-24-012)

The images are available in the following languages:

  • English (pdf) (281.67 KB)
  • English for Tribes (pdf) (431.84 KB)
  • Arabic (pdf) (477.67 KB)  
    • Note: The Arabic-speaking focus group preferred the image without the QR code.
  • Amharic (pdf) (167.68 KB)
  • Bengali (pdf) (323.51 KB)
  • Cambodian (pdf) (323.41 KB)
  • Chinese (Cantonese) (pdf) (566.93 KB)
  • Chinese (Mandarin) (pdf) (538.84 KB)
  • French (pdf) (273.84 KB)
  • Haitian Creole (pdf) (449.14 KB)
  • Hmong (pdf) (514.18 KB)
  • Japanese (pdf) (614.94 KB)
  • Korean (pdf) (495.89 KB)
  • Laotian (pdf) (487.62 KB)
  • Polish (pdf) (503.54 KB)
  • Portuguese (pdf) (510.33 KB)
  • Russian (pdf) (506.2 KB)
  • Spanish (pdf) (483.59 KB)
  • Tagalog (pdf) (505.94 KB)
  • Thai (pdf) (320.61 KB)
  • Vietnamese (pdf) (500.47 KB)

Process to Develop Images

The EPA developed a set of images to convey fish parts that should not be eaten to reduce possible exposure to contaminants. The EPA pretested the images with the primary audiences in different languages to ensure these images were understood as intended. The wording for each language/culture used in the final images is unique to that language/culture due to the diverse feedback received from each focus group. The EPA Fish Focus Group Final Report details the focus group process. Requests for the appendices should be directed to fish_advisory@epa.gov.

Choose Fish and Shellfish Wisely

  • Should I Be Concerned about Eating Fish and Shellfish?
  • EPA-FDA Advice about Eating Fish and Shellfish
  • Eat Fish and Shellfish in a Healthy Way
  • How Do I Know if a Fish I Caught is Contaminated?
  • What the EPA Does to Protect You From Contaminated Fish and Shellfish
  • Technical Resources and Studies
  • Building Fish and Shellfish Advisory Programs
    • Designing a Fish and Shellfish Contaminant Monitoring Program
      • Integrated Approach Monitoring Strategy
      • Multi-phase Approach Monitoring Strategy
      • Sampling Sites
      • Target Species and Size Classes
      • Target Contaminants
      • Sampling Times and Frequency
      • Fish Sample Types
      • Shellfish Sample Types
      • Quality Assurance and Quality Control
      • Sample Analysis
    • In the Field - Collecting and Handling Samples
      • Sample Collection
      • Sample Handling
    • In the Lab - Processing and Analyzing Samples
      • Receiving Samples
      • Processing Samples
      • Analytical Methods
      • Quality Assurance and Quality Control
      • Data Verification, Reporting and Validation
    • Analyzing Data and Calculating the Consumption Limits
    • Developing a Fish and/or Shellfish Advisory
Contact Us about Fish and Shellfish Consumption
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on March 17, 2025
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