CENTRAL Victorians are being advised to limit their consumption of fish caught from the Loddon River between Bridgewater and Laanecoorie.
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The warning follows Environment Protection Authority tests on redfin and carp showing elevated levels of mercury.
The Department of Health and Human Services is recommending people eat no more than one serve per week of fish from this area and no other fish that week.
It is also advising children up to six years, pregnant women and women of childbearing age eat no more than one serve per fortnight and no other fish that fortnight.
Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Bram Alexander said all fish contain small amounts of mercury and everyone was encouraged to eat fish as part of a healthy diet.
"Fish are high in protein and other essential nutrients, low in saturated fat and contain omega-3 fatty acids," Mr Alexander said.
"In most fish, the levels are very low however some varieties including shark, billfish, and orange roughy, contain high levels of mercury due to their feeding habits or surrounding environment.
"The levels of mercury found in the fish caught in the Loddon River are similar to those found in Lake Eildon, where similar consumption advice has been in place for some time."
The department is considering further testing of fish in the Loddon River.
It says drinking water is not affected.