Factors Influencing Fish Consumption Among Anglers Living in the Great Lakes Region

All eight states surrounding the Great Lakes produce fish consumption advisories for sport-caught fish.  These advisories suggest that people should limit their consumption of certain fish due to contaminants such as mercury and PCBs.  Past research has shown that anglers are generally aware of the advisories, and some report reducing consumption and changing patterns of fishing activity as a result.  Factors influencing those decisions are not well understood, nor are they addressed in communication to anglers about fishing or fish consumption.  We surveyed 8,000 licensed anglers living in states bordering the Great Lakes to assess their fish consumption and their level of awareness and knowledge of consumption advisories.  We used the Theory of Planned Behavior to examine factors influencing anglers’ consumption of potentially contaminated fish.  We also examined relationships between factors that may influence consumption for a variety of socio-demographic groups, stratified by income, education, gender, and fishing location (such as Great Lakes waters versus non-Great Lakes waters).  The results of this analysis will be useful nationwide, but particularly to the Great Lakes Consortium for Fish Consumption Advisories, which is working on improving communication of advisories to anglers.