Discussion 
The purpose of this two year study was to gain insight into the fishing 
habits and demographic characteristics of urban anglers with the ultimate 
goal of estimating their potential for exposure to contaminants as a 
consequence of consuming recreationally caught fish from Puget Sound. The 
study did not attempt to assess risk, but rather to estimate catch 
and consumption. 
Catch patterns for shoreside and boating anglers were similar, but not 
identical. The species most commonly taken by pier fishermen (squid) was 
not caught at all by boaters. Other species, however, were frequently 
caught by both groups. Both groups primarily caught pelagic fish rather 
than sediment-associated species such as flatfish which have been a source 
of concern because they often bear idiopathic lesions that may result from 
contaminant exposure. The catch rate was higher for boaters. 
Consumption patterns were similar for the two groups in terms of the 
portions of the fish that were consumed and their mode of preparation. 
Daily consumption rates differed between groups, with shoreside anglers 
appearing to have higher consumption rates for most species. 
Demographically, the two groups were similar in many respects, but they 
differed in others. Boaters were much less racially and ethnically 
diverse, and were predominated by Caucasians. On the whole, boaters 
had higher levels of education and were more affluent. 
In general, the concentrations of trace metals detected in this study 
closely resembled levels measured in previous Puget Sound studies (Gahler 
et al., 1982; Stober and Pierson, 1984; Romberg et al., 1984; Tetra Tech 
Inc., 1985). No major differences were noted between trace organics levels 
measured in this study and those of previous Puget Sound studies (Maiins 
et al., 1980; Malins et al., 1982; Gahler et al., 1982; Galvin et al., 
1984). Results of the cooking experiment were consistent with expected 
findings. 
Contaminant exposure estimates, intended to represent exposures conserva¬ 
tively (i.e. to overestimate exposures within the uncertainty in the 
estimation method) were lower than similar estimates conducted nationally 
or in other regions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration total diet 
study estimated mean daily intake of total dietary arsenic to be 63 ug/day 
(compared to a 50th percentile overall dose of 33 ug/day in the present study). 
FDA estimates of PCB mean daily intake range from 19 ug/day (nationally) 
up to 39-313 ug/day (Great Lakes region). Thiese values compare to the 
worst-case estimate of 12 ug/day in the present study. 
Acknowledgements 
This study was supported by a contract from the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Contracting Officer's Technical 
Representative from NOAA was Edward R. Long. 
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