Mercury concentrations in three species of fish from North Atlantic offshore waters

Mercury concentrations were determined in tissues and organs of spiny dogfish, cusk, and blackbellied redfish from various locations in North Atlantic offshore waters. Data from a previous survey had suggested that the muscle of the spiny dogfish and the livers of cusk and blackbellied redfish had higher concentrations of mercury than tissues from other fish species. The study reported here was carried out to collect additional information on the spatial and temporal distribution of mercury in organs and tissues of these three species. Reasons for variations in mercury concentrations in fish from different locations are discussed.