The health ministry is trying to prevent damage to the fisheries industry after prices of broadbill swordfish and alfonsin, a sea bream-like species, plummeted following a ministry advisory to pregnant women to limit consumption of the fish due to their mercury content, according to ministry officials.
Demand for the two kinds of fish has fallen significantly, although the health ministry has emphasized that its June 3 advisory was only applicable to pregnant women and that the fish pose no health problems to others.
To ensure that the public understands the advisory, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has posted an explanation on its Web site.