River Tywi these fish to over in weight. In summer and autumn there is also a substantial run of Atlantic salmon ("Salmo salar"). In May the Tywi has a run of the rare and protected twaite shad ("Alosa fallax") and allis shad ("Alosa alosa"). The Tywi also contains brown trout, eels, pike, and a variety of small fish species, and is home to brook lampreys, river lampreys and sea lampreys. The Tywi has the distinction of having accidentally produced by far the biggest fish ever taken on rod and line in fresh water in Britain. This was a sturgeon ("Acipwienser sturio") weighing
Herring as food the cancer-causing effect of PCBs and dioxins. The contaminant levels depend on the age of the fish which can be inferred from their size. Baltic herrings larger than 17 cm may be eaten twice a month, while herrings smaller than 17 cm can be eaten freely. Mercury in fish also influences the amount of fish that women who are pregnant or planning to be pregnant within the next one or two years may safely eat. Herring has been a staple food source since at least 3000 B.C. There are numerous ways the fish is served and many regional recipes: eaten