Knowledge and Attitude Concerning Fish Advisories Among Sport Fishermen in a Southeastern Coastal Community.

Ivar Frithsen, MD and Johnny Weeks, MD

Background: Several advisories have been issued by state and federal authorities concerning consumption of certain types of fish. Some of these advisories are targeted to specific populations including pregnant women and young children. South Carolina’s DHEC has issued advisories concerning fish that are caught off our coast.

Methods: A survey of sport fishermen will be conducted with three main sections; demographics, knowledge and attitude. Questions will also be asked aimed at determining the fish consumption practices of these fishermen and their families.

Results: Demographic information gathered while conducting the survey will be used to determine if there are significant differences in the level of knowledge among groups such as different ages or races. Also, this information will be used to determine if fish consumption practices are affected by knowledge of fish consumption advisories.

Conclusions: It is important for fishermen to know about the harmful effects of toxic compounds that are present in the fish they catch and consume.