CONTACT: 
Beth Kaplan, DHS (608) 266-1683
Candy Schrank, DNR (608) 267-7614

STATE OFFICIALS SEEK MALE ANGLERS AGE 50+ TO PARTICIPATE IN ONLINE SURVEY ON FISH CONSUMPTION

MADISON—State health and natural resources officials announced today they are asking male anglers age 50 and over to fill out an online survey on fish consumption. Developed by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the survey will be available through 2013.

"The survey will help us understand how much fish they eat, whether fish consumption advice is reaching this population, and the best ways to inform them about reducing their exposure to environmental contaminants in fish," said Dr. Henry Anderson, State Health Officer. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and DHS officials hope to hear from 5,000 men who fish Wisconsin waters.

Most state and federal fish consumption advice focuses on those most vulnerable to the effects of environmental contaminants — pregnant women, their developing fetuses, and young children, but older adults can also be affected.

Sport fishing is a popular activity in Wisconsin, with more than 1.3 million fishing licenses sold each year. "While fish are low in fat and contain nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, fishing in Wisconsin waters also carries some risk of exposure to chemical contamination by eating one's catch," said Anderson.

Survey participants will help state officials understand Wisconsin anglers' fishing activity, how much of their catch they consume, and the effectiveness of outreach materials on healthy fish eating practices, he added.

To participate in the survey, male anglers age 50 or older who live in Wisconsin all or part of the year are invited to visit: https://study.uwsc.wisc.edu/anglers.

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Last Revised:  December 02, 2011