Rapid Assessment of Lake Ontario Subsistence Fishing Patterns in Urban Communities

Building on existing partnerships with community groups in Rochester, as well as with the Buffalo Riverkeeper organization, we developed a rapid assessment tool for determining which population groups are at risk from fish consumption in urban areas around Lake Ontario, viable outreach mechanisms to reach subsistence anglers, and educational strategies that reach high risk consumers. We piloted this approach in Rochester, NY in 2009 by key informant interviews, over 300 community surveys and interviews with 73 anglers. We determined that African Americans and Latinos consume Lake Ontario fish at rates more than twice those of Caucasians, and that these groups are less well-informed about health risks from local fish. Varied consumption patterns, beliefs, and information sources of different ethnic groups pose challenges for outreach. We will describe how this information has been shared with community and governmental groups to improve communication of health risks to various community groups. This case study will be presented within the context of a national review of existing governmental, community, and academic outreach strategies. Lessons will be shared about how to apply our rapid assessment tool in other communities to inform appropriate, accurate, and effective communication in the face of changing science, ecology, and populations.