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Abstract

Recreational and subsistence angling are important aspects of urban culture for much of North America where people are concentrated near the coasts or major rivers. Yet there are fish and shellfish advisories for many estuaries, rivers, and lakes, and these are not always heeded. This paper examines fishing behavior, sources of information, perceptions, and compliance with fishing advisories as a function of ethnicity for people fishing in the Newark Bay Complex of the New York-New Jersey Harbor. We test the null hypothesis that there were no ethnic differences in sources of information, perceptions of the safety of fish consumption, and compliance with advisories. There were ethnic differences in consumption rates, sources of information about fishing, knowledge about the safety of the fish, awareness of fishing advisories or of the correct advisories, and knowledge about risks for increased cancer and to unborn and young children. In general, the knowledge base was much lower for Hispanics, was intermediate for blacks, and was greatest for whites. When presented with a statement about the potential risks from eating fish, there were no differences in their willingness to stop eating fish or to encourage pregnant women to stop. These results indicate a willingness to comply with advisories regardless of ethnicity, but a vast difference in the base knowledge necessary to make informed risk decisions about the safety of fish and shellfish. Although the overall median income level of the population was in the $25,000-34,999 income category, for Hispanics it was on the border between $15,000-24,999 and $25,000-34,999.

Seasonal, locational and size variations in mercury and selenium levels in striped bass (Morone saxatilis) from New Jersey

“…High fishing rates occur in a wide range of cultures, among recreational, subsistence and Native Americans anglers (Harris and Harper, 1998, 2000; Burger, 1998; Burger et al, 2007a, 2007b; Harper and Harris, 2008), in both urban and rural communities (Burger et al, 1999, 2001b; Bienenfeld et al, 2003), and elsewhere in the world (Burger et al, 2003; Yokoo et al, 2003; Abdelouahab et al, 2008). Fish are an excellent, low-fat source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, that contributes to low blood cholesterol (Anderson and Wiener, 1995), and reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and pre-term delivery (Daviglus et al, 2002; Patterson, 2002).…”

Mercury in Commercial Fish: Optimizing Individual Choices to Reduce Risk

“…This would balance the information that is currently available on fish that are high in mercury and allow people to continue to eat fish (often in large quantities) without undue harm to themselves or their children. In addition, there are ethnic preferences in fish (Burger et al 1999, 2004), and these should be taken into account in obtaining contaminant information to disseminate to the public. Finally, the way fish are labeled is not always accurate.…”

“…Not only are fish an important source of nutrients, but fishing is a popular pastime (Burger 2002; Burger et al 1992, 1993; Knuth et al 2003; Toth and Brown 1997), in urban as well as in rural areas (Burger et al 1999, 2001b; Ramos and Crain 2001). Fish provide omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids that reduce cholesterol levels and the incidence of heart disease, stroke, and preterm delivery (Anderson and Wiener 1995; Daviglus et al 2002; Patterson 2002).…”

Mercury and selenium levels in 19 species of saltwater fish from New Jersey as a function of species, size, and season

“…High fishing rates (days per year) occur in a wide range of cultures, including in rural and urban areas (Burger et al, 1999, 2001a, b; Bienenfeld et al, 2003), among Native Americans (Burger et al, 2007; Harper and Harris, 2008), and in other regions of the world (Burger et al, 2003). Fish provide fishmeal for human and aquaculture use (Brunner et al, 2009), and recreational, cultural and aesthetic pleasures (Toth and Brown, 1997; Burger, 2000, 2002).…”