The study "A Quantitative Analysis of the Risks and Benefits Associated with Changes in Fish Consumption." was published in the November issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The study concludes that women of childbearing age and pregnant women can eat up to 12 ounces weekly of fish low in mercury with no negative impact on the developing fetus. The study goes on to state that fish consumption during pregnancy could amount to an increase of .01 points in I.Q. per newborn.

    The Harvard study further warned that reduced fish consumption will result in serious public health consequences, including higher death rates from heart disease and stroke.

    Several independent studies including one recently release by the University of Maryland, have linked decreased seafood consumption to a joint advisory issued by the Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency in early 2004. The advisory suggested that women of childbearing age, pregnant women and young children should limit their consumption of high-mercury fish such as swordfish, shark and tilefish. However, the message that many consumers heard, even those not in the at-risk category, was to limit overall seafood consumption.

    The Harvard study was funded by a grant from the Food Products Association Research Foundation and NFI's Fisheries Scholarship Fund.