Final answer:
Concern about biomagnification of toxins should lead one to avoid eating top predator fish like swordfish and shark, which can have high levels of mercury. The EPA recommends safer alternatives with lower mercury levels for sensitive groups. Ciguatoxin is commonly found in larger reef fish due to biomagnification.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you are concerned about biomagnification of toxins, the type of seafood you would most want to avoid eating includes predator fish at the top of the food chain such as swordfish, shark, king mackerel, or tilefish. These fish are known to have high levels of mercury due to biomagnification. The United States Environmental Protection Agency advises against consumption of these fish by pregnant individuals and young children and recommends alternatives like salmon, shrimp, pollock, and catfish which are lower in mercury content. This demonstrates how biomagnification can affect the types of seafood considered safe for human consumption.
Ciguatoxin, which is a seafood toxin you asked about, is not mentioned directly in the materials provided, but it tends to be most commonly found in tropical and subtropical fish, especially larger reef fish. The food chain plays a crucial role in the concentration of such toxins, and thus, being wary of the types of fish and their position in the ecosystem is essential when considering risks of ciguatera poisoning.