
Fish Consumption and Environmental Justice on the Detroit River AOC (2008)
Our research seeks to assess the efforts of Detroit River stakeholders to mitigate risk of human exposure to fish toxicity. We will critique the success of such processes through the perspective of those who are most effected--the fish consumer. We seek to identify those who use the Detroit River as a fishing resource and assess their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs in regards to fish contamination. We conducted creel surveys of anglers on the Canadian and US sides of the Detroit River to look at comparative aspects of jurisdictional boundaries affecting those attitudes, knowledge and beliefs. A second part of the study will create a cluster analysis of institutional behavior in regards to environmental justice issues for the population fishing from the river. Study results will be used to generate creative solutions that incorporate Environmental Justice theory and practice, and provide policy suggestions that will make consumption advisories more effective for the population it serves. This study will contribute to an integrated assessment on the causes, consequences and correctives of fish consumption advisories lead by the Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research (CILER) and Michigan Sea Grant.
Victoria Kalkirtz, MUP/MS Environmental Justice and Environmental Planning
Michelle Martinez, MS Environmental Policy and Planning
Alexandria Teague, MUP/MS Environmental Justice and Environmental Planning