Date of Award
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Natural Resources
First Advisor
Bindu B. Panikkar
Abstract
Subsistence fishing is a practice deeply woven into the traditions of cultures worldwide, where people derive sustenance from locally caught fish. However, contaminants in fish, such as Mercury, and persistent organic pollutants, are widespread. The consumption of these contaminants is associated with wide-ranging adverse health effects, including neurological and developmental problems. This thesis aims to investigate recreational and subsistence fishing, fish consumption behaviors, awareness of contaminants in fish, and fish advisories among local anglers and resettled refugees in Vermont to inform state testing and advisory outreach to mitigate exposure risks.The first study explored subsistence fishing practices among resettled refugees in the Lake Champlain basin. Utilizing focus groups with 41 participants from Nepali, Arabic-, and Swahili-speaking communities, thematic analysis using Nvivo revealed that all three groups culturally practiced subsistence fishing in their home countries. These communities are now either engaged in or interested in reviving subsistence practices in Vermont. However, they face multiple challenges, including a lack of resources, access to culturally sensitive fishing information, and discrimination. The participants demonstrated limited awareness of contaminants in fish, with only 14% indicating awareness across all language groups. Furthermore, knowledge of state advisories was extremely low, with only 2 % of participants having any awareness. The results reveal the importance of addressing language barriers and offering information in a culturally competent format to enhance the effectiveness of fish advisories in Vermont. Collaborative efforts with community leaders, local authorities, and support organizations are vital for preserving cultural traditions and ensuring safer fishing practices and the public health of immigrant populations. The second study surveyed 94 anglers through intercept and online platforms to evaluate proxies of contaminant exposure risk among angling groups in the Lake Champlain basin. Utilizing statistical software SPSS and R to conduct crosstab and logistic regression analyses. These analyses were performed to compare consumption frequency, knowledge of contaminants in fish, and advisory awareness across various demographic variables (income, race, gender, and age). The results revealed that income, race, gender, and age did not show statistically significant associations with consumption frequency, advisory awareness, or knowledge of contaminants in fish. Similarly, ANOSIM analysis did not detect significant differences among demographic groups, except for knowledge of contaminants in fish, which may be attributed to a higher proportion of participants demonstrating awareness of contaminants. However, challenges remain in translating awareness of fish consumption advisories into behavioral change among Lake Champlain's angling communities, emphasizing the crucial need for culturally tailored risk communication strategies and targeted interventions to address demographic disparities and enhance advisory effectiveness.
Language
en
Number of Pages
119 p.
Recommended Citation
Lamichhane, Saurav, "Exploring Proxies Of Contaminant Exposure Risk Among Anglers In The Lake Champlain Basin" (2024). Graduate College Dissertations and Theses. 1951.
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis/1951