Fish consumption and advisory awareness in the Province of Ontario, Canada

Session: 13. - Building Relationships of Anglers and Scientists toward Sustainable Fisheries

Satyendra Bhavsar, Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, [email protected]
Helen Ball, OMNRF, [email protected]
Nilima Gandhi, Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, [email protected]
Sarah Gewurtz, University of Windsor, [email protected]
Ken Drouillard, University of Windsor, Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, [email protected]

Abstract

More than a million anglers go fishing in the Province of Ontario, Canada, which contains over 250,000 lakes, countless rivers and streams, as well as Canadian waters of the Great Lakes.  This talk will present information on fish consumption pattern and effectiveness of advisories in Ontario based on 11,848 responses to a survey conducted by Ontario MOECC in partnership with Ontario MNRF and DFO Canada.  The survey design allowed to statistically extrapolate the findings to all Ontario anglers.  The results show that about 70% of the anglers eat fish caught from Ontario waters. Walleye, Northern Pike, Bass and Yellow Perch are top choices for consumption. Almost half of the anglers are not aware about fish consumption advisories. Many who are unaware of the advisories eat large portions of fish meals indicating potential health risk involved.  Many anglers do not eat their catch very frequently likely due to health risk concerns associated with eating fish.  Since fish are source of important nutrients, better messaging of balancing the risks-benefits of fish consumption is needed. This talk will also present on the use and impacts of the advisories, and effective methods of communicating to anglers on safe eating of fish. 

1. Keyword
environmental contaminants

2. Keyword
fish toxins

3. Keyword
fishing

4. Additional Keyword
Eating fish

5. Additional Keyword
Anglers

6. Additional Keyword
Advisories