Why should I stay away from eating shark during pregnancy? Sharks are predatory fishes and are found in both freshwater and seawater. Despite being a culinary favorite amongst several Asian cultures, it is an extremely dangerous fish. This is because shark is highly toxic, and is packed with harmful compounds like lead, urea, arsenic, and worst of all, mercury. The excess of mercury in shark can cause your baby’s brain damage and delay its bodily development. It can also lead to the accumulation of methyl mercury that consequently damages your lungs, kidneys, and nervous system. We recommend that you absolutely stay away from eating shark during pregnancy, and satiate all your cravings of the fish post pregnancy.