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Fishing in Urban New Jersey: Ethnicity Affects Information Sources, Pe ception, and Compliance

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  • Joanna Burger
  • Kerry Kirk Pflugh
  • Lynette Lurig
  • Leigh Ann Von Hagen
  • Stanley Von Hagen

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,OOO‐24,999 and $25,000‐34,999.

Suggested Citation

  • Joanna Burger & Kerry Kirk Pflugh & Lynette Lurig & Leigh Ann Von Hagen & Stanley Von Hagen, 1999. "Fishing in Urban New Jersey: Ethnicity Affects Information Sources, Pe ception, and Compliance," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(2), pages 217-229, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:riskan:v:19:y:1999:i:2:p:217-229
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.1999.tb00401.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paul Slovic, 1993. "Perceived Risk, Trust, and Democracy," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 13(6), pages 675-682, December.
    2. Harry Otway & Brian Wynne, 1989. "Risk Communication: Paradigm and Paradox," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 9(2), pages 141-145, June.
    3. Helen May & Joanna Burger, 1996. "Fishing in a Polluted Estuary: Fishing Behavior, Fish Consumption, and Potential Risk," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(4), pages 459-471, August.
    4. Paul Sparks & Richard Shepherd, 1994. "Public Perceptions of the Potential Hazards Associated with Food Production and Food Consumption: An Empirical Study," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 14(5), pages 799-806, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. May Lynn Tan & Alyce Ujihara & Lani Kent & Ilinisa Hendrickson, 2011. "Communicating Fish Consumption Advisories in California: What Works, What Doesn’t," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(7), pages 1095-1106, July.
    2. Joanna Burger & Stuart Harris & Barbara Harper & Michael Gochfeld, 2010. "Ecological Information Needs for Environmental Justice," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(6), pages 893-905, June.
    3. Barbara A. Knuth & Nancy A. Connelly & Judy Sheeshka & Jacqueline Patterson, 2003. "Weighing Health Benefit and Health Risk Information when Consuming Sport‐Caught Fish," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(6), pages 1185-1197, December.
    4. Joanna Burger & Melanie Hughes McDermott & Caron Chess & Eleanor Bochenek & Marla Perez‐Lugo & Kerry Kirk Pflugh, 2003. "Evaluating Risk Communication about Fish Consumption Advisories: Efficacy of a Brochure versus a Classroom Lesson in Spanish and English," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(4), pages 791-803, August.
    5. Donna M. Riley & C. Alison Newby & Tomás O. Leal‐Almeraz, 2006. "Incorporating Ethnographic Methods in Multidisciplinary Approaches to Risk Assessment and Communication: Cultural and Religious Uses of Mercury in Latino and Caribbean Communities," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(5), pages 1205-1221, October.
    6. J. Burger & B. B. Johnson & S. Shukla & M. Gochfeld, 2003. "Perceptions of Recreational Fishing Boat Captains: Knowledge and Effects of Fish Consumption Advisories," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(2), pages 369-378, April.

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