In 2003-2004, 47 spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) ranging from 430 to 729 mm in TL and 18 smoothhound sharks (Mustelus mustelus) ranging from 428 to 720 mm in TL were collected from the eastern Mediterranean Sea, around the island of Crete. Total mercury levels in their edible tissues were determined with Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The highest concentration was found in the muscle tissue of a spiny dogfish (5.79 mg/kg w.w) and the lowest in the muscle tissue of a smooth-hound shark (0.22 mg/kg w.w). In all muscle samples of smooth-hound shark, except one, the concentrations of total mercury were below the maximum permitted level of 1 mg/kg w.w, whereas mercury concentrations were above this limit in 81% of the muscle samples of spiny dogfish.