Abstract The Persian Gulf is one of the most important waterways in the world, through which a large amount of petroleum products flows, and a large population lives around it. One of the important activities of the inhabitants is fishing, which unfortunately is affected by environmental pollution. In this study, 12 elements were measured in three widely consumed fish species (Pomadasys kaakan, Epinephelus multinotatus and Cyprinus carpio) in different sizes using the neutron activation analyzing technique. The average specific mass of Al, Ca, Cl, Mg, Mn, Br, Na, Fe, Cr, Zn, and As in marine samples was obtained as 0.99, 38,433, 4750, 1836, 4.33, 15.86, 3327, 88 .90, 0.86 38 and 11.49 in mg/kg, respectively. The Sc value was below detectable limit. The results showed that the content of sodium, calcium, magnesium, and chlorine in the meat of marine samples was significantly higher than in farmed samples, while the content of arsenic in E. multinotatus meat was higher and on the verge of danger. The results showed that the average concentration of most of the investigated elements in skin (84%) was higher than in meat, so eating fish skin is beneficial for people’s health. The average concentration of arsenic in fish skin was about twice lower than its concentration in meat. This study shows that the consumption of fish meat in this region is not dangerous for the health of consumers
