Mercury accumulates in fish over time, particularly in larger predatory species that eat other fish.
Swordfish are large predators and can therefore accumulate more mercury than many smaller fish.
For an occasional restaurant meal, this doesn’t automatically mean you need to panic.
But people who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or feeding young children should pay particularly close attention to official seafood guidance concerning high-mercury species.
### What to choose instead
Try salmon, trout, sardines, or another lower-mercury seafood option.
These alternatives can provide valuable nutrients while generally presenting less concern about mercury exposure.
## 2. Shark
Shark can appear on menus in some coastal restaurants, seafood establishments, and specialty eateries.
Like swordfish, sharks are large predatory fish.
Because they occupy a high position in the marine food chain and can live for years, some shark species can accumulate substantial amounts of mercury.
Another issue is sustainability.
Shark populations can be vulnerable to overfishing, and different species face very different conservation circumstances.
