The cadmium content of fish muscle samples shall not exceed 0,05 mg/kg wet weight. For European eel the MRLs are higher at 0,10 mg/kg, but no cadmium studies in eel have been carried out in Lithuania. Studies from 2012 to 2017 show a good status as the samples contained cadmium levels below the MRL or the limit of quantification. The status remained stable (good) compared to the previous evaluation period (2006-2011). Cadmium studies have been carried out in plaice, rodent and cod.

From 2012, the sum of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in fish muscle samples shall not exceed 6,5 pg/g wet weight. For European eel the MRLs were also reduced by 10,0 pg/g (instead of 12 pg/g) but no testing of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in eel was carried out in Lithuania. Studies from 2012 to 2017 show that the MRL for muscle was exceeded in one case (2015) but not in all other cases. Compared to the previous evaluation period (2004-2011), the status has improved, i.e. a trend towards lower levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in fish muscles is observed. The MRL for the sum of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in fish liver is 20 pg/g and one cod liver sample was tested in 2017 where the MRL was exceeded more than twice (57,75 pg/g). Tests for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs were carried out in herring, salmon, plaice, spawning, cod, picked.

From 2012, the sum of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in fish muscle samples shall not exceed 6,5 pg/g wet weight. For European eel the MRLs were also reduced by 10,0 pg/g (instead of 12 pg/g) but no testing of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in eel was carried out in Lithuania. Studies from 2012 to 2017 show that the MRL for muscle was exceeded in one case (2015) but not in all other cases. Compared to the previous evaluation period (2004-2011), the status has improved, i.e. a trend towards lower levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in fish muscles is observed. The MRL for the sum of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in fish liver is 20 pg/g and one cod liver sample was tested in 2017 where the MRL was exceeded more than twice (57,75 pg/g). Tests for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs were carried out in herring, salmon, plaice, spawning, cod, picked.

From 2012, the sum of dioxins in fish muscle samples shall not exceed 3,5 pg/g wet weight. Between 2012 and 2017, a total of 49 fish muscle samples were analysed (between 5 and 12 samples each year) with average levels below the MRL (except in 2015) and compared to the previous assessment period (2004-2011), the status improved by showing a downward trend in dioxin levels. Tests for dioxins have been carried out in herring, salmon, plaice, spawning, cod, capped.

The lead content of fish muscle samples shall not exceed 0,3 mg/kg wet weight. The results of the studies from 2012 to 2017 show a good status as the levels found in the samples never exceeded the MRLs. The status remained stable (good) compared to the previous evaluation period (2006-2011). For lead, studies were carried out on plaice, rodent and cod.

The mercury content of fish muscle samples shall not exceed 0,5 mg/kg of fish muscle wet weight. For European eel, MRLs are higher at 1.0 mg/kg, but no mercury studies in eel have been carried out in Lithuania. The results of the studies carried out between 2014 and 2017 show a good status as samples show a maximum level of mercury of 0,1 mg/kg wet weight and are below the MRL. The status remained stable (good) compared to the previous evaluation period (2007-2011). Studies on mercury have been carried out in plaice, rodent and cod.

The sum of non-dioxin-like PCBs in fish muscle samples shall not exceed 75 μg/kg (or 0,075 mg/kg) of fish muscle weight. The MRL for European eel is 300 μg/kg, but no testing of non-dioxin-like PCBs in eel has been carried out in Lithuania. In 2011, the total sum of non-dioxin-like PCBs was not evaluated, and individual PCBs (28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180) were evaluated at levels below the then established limit of quantification (<0,01 mg/kg d.sv.). From 2012 onwards, the total amount of non-dioxin-like PCBs for which values indicate good status shall be assessed as the MRLs have never been exceeded. The status remained stable (good) compared to the previous evaluation period (2004-2011). The MRL for the sum of non-dioxin-like PCBs in fish liver is 200 μg/kg, one sample of cod liver was analysed in Lithuania between 2012 and 2017 in which the sum of non-dioxin-like PCBs exceeded the MRL (287 μg/kg). Tests for non-dioxin-like PCBs have been carried out in striyme, salmon, plaice, spawning, cod, picked.

The sum of non-dioxin-like PCBs in fish muscle samples shall not exceed 75 μg/kg (or 0,075 mg/kg) of fish muscle weight. The MRL for European eel is 300 μg/kg, but no testing of non-dioxin-like PCBs in eel has been carried out in Lithuania. In 2011, the total sum of non-dioxin-like PCBs was not evaluated, and individual PCBs (28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180) were evaluated at levels below the then established limit of quantification (<0,01 mg/kg d.sv.). From 2012 onwards, the total amount of non-dioxin-like PCBs for which values indicate good status shall be assessed as the MRLs have never been exceeded. The status remained stable (good) compared to the previous evaluation period (2004-2011). The MRL for the sum of non-dioxin-like PCBs in fish liver is 200 μg/kg, one sample of cod liver was analysed in Lithuania between 2012 and 2017 in which the sum of non-dioxin-like PCBs exceeded the MRL (287 μg/kg). Tests for non-dioxin-like PCBs have been carried out in striyme, salmon, plaice, spawning, cod, picked.