Fishing, consumption, and risk perception in fisherfolk along an east coast estuary

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1998 · Environmental Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1006/enrs.1997.3819· OSTI ID:638282

Burger, J; Sanchez, J ^[1]; Gochfeld, M ^[2]

---

1. Rutgers Univ., Piscataway, NJ (United States)
2. UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ (United States)

Increasingly public and governmental agencies are concerned about the safety of fish and shellfish that recreational fishermen consume. Fishing behavior, consumption patterns, and risk perceptions were examined for people fishing and crabbing in Barnegat Bay, NJ. Women fished in significantly larger groups than men, and their groups included more children. Subjects fished an average of seven times per month and crabbed three times per month; they caught fish on most outings, and 80% ate their catch. Subjects consumed fish an average of five times a month, eating just under 10 oz (ca. 280 g) per meal. Only 25% of the fish consumed by women, and 49% of the fish consumed by men, are self-caught. Nearly 90% of the people believe the fish and crabs from Barnegat Bay are safe to eat, although about 40% have heard some warnings about their safety. Most people heard about advisories from newspapers or television. Most subjects believe that saltwater fish are safer than freshwater fish and that fish they catch themselves or buy in a bay store are safer than those from a supermarket. People generally do not have a clear understanding of the relationship between contaminants and fish size or trophic level, suggesting an avenue for risk reduction.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FC01-95EW55084
• OSTI ID: 638282
• Journal Information: Environmental Research, Journal Name: Environmental Research Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 77; ISSN ENVRAL; ISSN 0013-9351
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
ESTUARIES
FISHES
FOOD CHAINS
MAN
WATER POLLUTION