FIGURE 1.
Recreational angler fishing sites sampled in Santa Monica Bay Seafood Consumption Study, September 1991 to August 1992.

MATERIALS AND METHODS The Santa Monica Bay study area extended from Point Dume to Cabrillo Pier ( Figure 1). The field study lasted from September 1991 to August 1992, and consisted of a survey of recreational anglers in four fishing modes: piers and jetties; party boats; private boats; and beach and intertidal zone. Surveys were conducted at 11 piers and jetties, five party-boat landings, three private-boat launches and hoists, and 11 beach and intertidal sites (Figure 1).

Interviewers censused anglers at each site and asked them questions from a questionnaire prepared specifically for the study. In addition to English, interviewers spoke Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, or Filipino. Each angler was asked questions about their background, fishing history, types of fish eaten, consumption habits, and methods of preparing fish. Answers to the questions were numerically coded, entered into a computer database, and analyzed. Ethnic group names were derived from the most recent US census report (USBC 1990).

Consumption rates were calculated based on the angler’s estimates of meal size relative to a model fish fillet that represented a 150 g meal. The amount consumed per meal was multiplied by the frequency of consumption of the species during the previous four weeks to get monthly consumption rates (kg/individual/month). This was divided by 28 days to get daily consumption rates (g/individual/day). Consumption rate data were summarized by parametric statistics (means, standard deviations, and 95% confidence limits) and nonparametric statistics (median, and upper decile or 90th percentiles).

RESULTS
In 113 separate surveys, 2376 anglers were censused, 1243 were successfully interviewed, and 554 provided sufficient information for calculation of consumption rates. The majority of Santa Monica Bay anglers were male (93%), 21 to 40 years old (54%), white (43%), with an annual household income of $25,000 to $50,000 (39%) (| Figure 2 | Figure 3 | Figure 4 |). The next most abundant ethnic groups were Hispanics, Asians (Japanese, Koreans, Chinese, Filipinos, Vietnamese, and Cambodians), blacks, and others (Figure 3). Hispanics were the most abundant ethnic group on piers and jetties, while whites were the most abundant group on party boats and private boats (Figure 5). Pier and jetty anglers had lower household incomes than party boat and private boat anglers (Table 1). Most anglers fished year-round but 19% fished only during the summer; about a third did not fish during the month (28 days) prior to the interview, but of those that had, most fished 3-5 times per month and for 2-5 h at a time.

During the study, interviewers identified at least 67 species of fish, two species of crustaceans, two species of mollusks, and one species of echinoderm taken from the study area by recreational anglers and foragers. The most abundant species were chub (=Pacific) mackerel (Scomber japonicus), barred sand bass (Paralabrax nebulifer), kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus), white croaker (Genyonemus lineatus), Pacific barracuda (Sphyraena argentea), and Pacific bonito (Sarda chiliensis) (Table 2). Most of the anglers were unable to give the correct common name for the fish in their possession, but they were able to give correct generic common name (e.g., barracuda, mackerel, etc.).

Thirty-nine percent of the respondents had eaten fish from the study area in the four weeks prior to the interview, and most anglers had caught fish on the day of the interview. The percentage of party boat (76%) and private boat (74%) anglers who caught fish on the day of the interview was much greater than that of the pier and jetty anglers (47%).

Santa Monica Bay anglers had a median consumption rate of 21 g/ind/day. Although the median consumption rate was relatively low, the upper decile (90th percentile) consumption rate was about five times higher (107 g/ind/day) (Figure 6).

Of the identifiable ethnic groups, consumption rates were highest for blacks, who had a median consumption rate of 24 g/ind/day. Upper decile consumption rates were highest for Asians, who had a median consumption rate of 116 g/ind/day (Figure 7). Anglers with annual household incomes less than $5,000 had the highest median consumption rates (32 g/ind/day), but those with incomes greater than $50,000 had the highest upper decile rates (129 g/ind/day) (Figure 8).

Median consumption rates of the most commonly caught species were similar, but upper decile rates were more variable. Some individuals had much higher consumption rates (particularly for chub mackerel) than the average consumer (Figure 9). Median consumption rates were highest for barred sand bass, Pacific barracuda, kelp bass, rockfish species (Sebastes spp.), Pacific bonito, and California halibut (Paralichthys californicus). Upper decile consumption rates were highest for kelp bass, barred sand bass, and rockfish species.

Anglers who consumed white croaker were mostly male (92%), Hispanic (57%), 21 to 30 years old (26%), with a household income of $10,000 to $25,000 (17%) (Figure 10). Blacks had the highest median consumption rate (13 g/ind/day), and Asians had the highest upper decile consumption rate (51 g/ind/day), of this species. Most anglers caught white croaker at piers (particularly Cabrillo Pier), fished year-round, had fished less than six years, and had eaten this species at least once in the four weeks preceding the interview. They generally ate the fish whole but gutted, ate about 150 g at a time, and fried their catch.

About 77% of the anglers were aware of health warnings about consumption of fish from Santa Monica Bay; most of the respondents cited television and newspaper or magazine articles as the major source of information (Table 3). Of the aware anglers, 50% had been affected by the warnings and had altered their seafood consumption habits. Of these, 46% stopped consuming some species, 25% ate less of all species, 19% stopped consuming all fish, and 10% ate less of some species (Table 3).

Most anglers of all ethnic groups were aware of the health-risk warnings. Television was the major source of information on warnings for black, Hispanic, and “other” anglers, while newspapers and magazines were the major source for Asian and white anglers. Most black, Hispanic, and “other” anglers were not affected by the warnings, but most Asian and white anglers altered their consumption behavior. Of the anglers who altered their behavior, the pattern was similar for all ethnic groups: most stopped eating some species and somewhat fewer ate less of all species. White croaker consumers were generally aware of health warnings for this species from a variety of media sources. Although most thought the warnings were very important, half did not alter their consumption habits (Figure 11).

DISCUSSION
There were more whites and Asians and fewer Hispanics in the recreational fishing population of Santa Monica Bay relative to the ethnic composition of Los Angeles County (Figure 3) (USBC 1990, SCCWRP and MBC 1994). The gender, age, and ethnic characteristics of the anglers in 1991-1992 were similar to those obtained in a seafood study conducted in Santa Monica Bay in 1980 (Puffer et al. 1981, 1982). The most abundant species caught by recreational anglers in 1991-92 were similar to those caught by recreational anglers in 1980, except that white croaker was more abundant in 1980 than in 1991-92.

The consumption rate distributions were skewed to the right and hence medians and upper deciles (90th percentiles) provided a better description than means and 95% confidence limits. The skewness of the consumption rate distributions indicates that there were relatively few anglers with high consumption rates and many anglers with low consumption rates. This was true for all angler groups examined (i.e., overall, ethnic groups, age groups, income groups) and for all species.

The median consumption rate for Santa Monica Bay anglers (21 g/ind/day) was 70% of the national median (30 g/ind/day) (USEPA 1990). This may indicate that while many anglers fish in Santa Monica Bay, relatively few rely on their catch as a major source of food. Only 39% of the anglers had caught and consumed fish from the bay during the four weeks before the interview. No attempt was made to adjust for differences in the number of anglers that use each mode. The size of the fishing population in each mode was unknown and could not have been estimated without doing a special study. However, some weighting occurred naturally due to the different numbers of anglers fishing (and hence interviewed) in each mode. This natural weighting provided the best estimate of the size of the fishing population in each mode within the limitations and resources available in this study.

In general the most abundant species caught by recreational anglers in 1991-92 were consumed at the highest rates. These included barred sand bass, Pacific barracuda, kelp bass, rockfish species, and California halibut -- all of which have low PCB and DDT levels (Pollock et al. 1991, SCCWRP et al. 1992). However, white croaker was consumed at relatively high rates and this species has high levels of PCBs and DDTs on the Palos Verdes Shelf and in Los Angeles Harbor (Pollock et al. 1991, SCCWRP et al. 1992, SCCWRP 1994). White croaker was consumed predominantly by Hispanic anglers fishing on Cabrillo Pier, a site where this species is contaminated (Pollock et al. 1991). Although there were more Hispanics that consumed white croaker, blacks and Asians were more likely to consume larger quantities of this species.

The study suggests that health risks from eating contaminated fish at different sites might best be communicated to the public via a variety of media (posting warnings, television, newspapers, etc.). Nevertheless, many anglers who were aware of the warnings did not alter their consumption rates. They reasoned that if there were a health risk, they would experience ill effects within a day of eating a fish.

CONCLUSIONS
Most of the recreational anglers from Santa Monica Bay 1991-1992 were male (93%), 21-40 years old (54%), white (43%), and had annual household incomes of $25,000 to $50,000 (39%). Chub mackerel, barred sand bass, and kelp bass were the dominant species caught, while barred sand bass, kelp bass, combined rockfish species, Pacific barracuda, and California halibut were consumed at the highest rates. The median consumption rate for Santa Monica Bay anglers (21 g/ind/day) was 70% of the national median (30 g/ind/day). Of the identified ethnic groups, blacks had the highest median consumption rates, but Asians had the highest upper decile consumption rates. Anglers with annual household incomes less than $5,000 had the highest median consumption rates, but those with incomes greater than $50,000 had the highest upper decile consumption rates. Anglers who consumed white croaker were primarily Hispanic and most caught this species at Cabrillo Pier, a site where white croaker were known to be highly contaminated. Although more Hispanics consumed white croaker, blacks had the highest median and Asians had the highest upper decile consumption rates. About 77% of the anglers were aware of health warnings regarding consumption of seafood species from Santa Monica Bay; 50% said they altered their fish consumption behavior as a result of these warnings by eating less or no fish.

Pollock, G.A., I.J. Uhaa, A.M. Fan, J.A. Wisniewski, and I. Witherell. 1991. A study of chemical contamination of marine fish from Southern California: II. Comprehensive study. California Environmental Protection Agency, Off. Environ. Health Hazard Assess., Sacramento. 161 p. + appendices.

Puffer, H.W., S.P. Azen, and D.R. Young. 1981. Consumption rates of potentially hazardous marine fish caught in the metropolitan Los Angeles area. US Environmental Protection Agency, Environ. Res. Lab., Corvallis, OR. 34 p.

Puffer, H.W., M.J. Duda, and S.P. Azen. 1982. Potential health hazards from consumption of fish caught in polluted coastal waters of Los Angeles County. N. Am. J. Fish. Mgt. 2:74-79.

Risebrough, R.W. 1987. Distribution of organic contaminants in coastal areas of Los Angeles and the Southern California Bight. Univ. Calif., Santa Cruz, Inst. Mar. Sci., Santa Cruz. 114 p. + appendices.

SCCWRP. See Southern California Coastal Water Research Project.

Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. 1994. Contamination of recreational seafood organisms off Southern California. Pp. 100-110, In: Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Annual Report 1992-1993. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Westminster.

Southern California Coastal Water Research Project and MBC Applied Environmental Sciences. 1994. Santa Monica Bay seafood consumption study. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Westminster and MBC Applied Environmental Sciences, Costa Mesa, CA. 101 p. + appendices.

Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, MBC Applied Environmental Sciences, and University of California, Santa Cruz, Trace Organics Facility. 1992. Santa Monica Bay seafood contamination study. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Long Beach. 179 p.

USBC. See United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census.

USEPA. See United States Environmental Protection Agency.

United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census. 1990. 1990 census of population and housing: census tracts Los Angeles-Long Beach, California. US Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census, Washington, DC.

United States Environmental Protection Agency. 1990. Exposure factors handbook. US Environmental Protection Agency, Off. Health Environ. Assess., Washington, DC. EPA-600/8/3a/043.

Young, D.R., M.D. Moore, G.V. Alexander, T.K. Jan, D.J. McDermott-Ehrlich, R.P. Eganhouse, and P. Hershelman. 1978. Trace elements in seafood organisms around Southern California municipal wastewater outfalls. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, El Segundo. 104 p.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was funded by the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project (SMBRP). Author M. James Allen thanks D.W. Diehl, V. Raco, S. Moore, and D. Hallock of SCCWRP for their assistance with the final report. The author is particularly grateful to the SMBRP Seafood Consumption Task Force that included P.V. Velez (SMBRP and contract manager for the study), G. Pollock (California Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment), P.A. Papanek (Los Angeles County Department of Health Services), D. Smith (California Department of Health Services), M. Golden (National Marine Fisheries Service), and P. Gregory (California Department of Fish and Game). The author thanks M. Kelsh (EcoAnalysis, Inc.), who developed the survey questionnaire, and S. McFadden (MBC Applied Environmental Sciences), who was the primary interviewer. Thanks also go to the staff of MBC Applied Environmental Sciences (T.J. Kauwling, S.H. Kramer, W.J. Stockton, S.J. Gruber, C.J. Mitchell, A. Huo, L. Le, P. Barton, P.R. Simon, and V.J. Whitt) and EcoAnalysis, Inc. (J. Zalinsky and D. Sherick) for participating in the study.

TABLE 2.
Abundance of seafood species caught by recreational anglers using different fishing modes, Santa Monica Bay Seafood Consumption Study, September 1991 to August 1992.
Return to RESULTS

		NUMBER OF ORGANISMS BY FISHING MODE
COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	Pier	Party Boat	Private Boat	Beach/Intertidal	Total
chub mackerel	Scomber japonicus	476	356	215	0	1047
barred sand bass	Paralabrax nebulifer	1	308	79	0	388
kelp bass	Paralabrax clathratus	1	250	76	0	327
white croaker	Genyonemus lineatus	167	3	149	0	319
Pacific barracuda	Sphyraena argentea	4	202	53	0	259
Pacific bonito	Sarda chiliensis	25	124	101	0	250
sea mussel, unidentified	Mytilus spp.	0	0	0	100	100
Pacific purple urchin	Strongylocentrotus purpuratus	0	0	0	90	90
jacksmelt	Atherinopsis californiensis	64	2	8	0	74
California scorpionfish	Scorpaena guttata	3	34	28	0	65
California halibut	Paralichthys californicus	12	23	27	0	62
halfmoon	Medialuna californiensis	0	32	24	0	56
opaleye	Girella nigricans	31	0	12	9	52
rockfish, unidentified	Sebastes spp.	0	34	3	0	37
squarespot rockfish	Sebastes hopkinsi	0	29	0	0	29
surfperches, unidentified	Embiotocidae spp.	18	0	9	0	27
black perch	Embiotoca jacksoni	5	0	21	0	26
starry rockfish	Sebastes constellatus	0	18	6	0	24
yellowfin croaker	Umbrina roncador	16	0	1	3	20
other species combined		95	67	69	11	242
TOTAL		918	1528	897	213	3556
rockfishes, combined a	Sebastes spp., combined	4	166	28	0	198

a Rockfishes combined included 15 identified and one unidentified species, some of which (i.e., boccacio, squarespot rockfish, rockfish unidentified, and starry rockfish) are included in this table.

TABLE 3.
Response to health-risk warnings by recreational anglers of different ethnic groups, Santa Monica Bay Seafood Consumption Study, September 1991 to August 1992.
Return to RESULTS

	ETHNIC GROUP
	Black	Asian	Hispanic	White	Other	TOTAL
NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS
Total	124	224	305	533	28	1214
Aware of warnings	95	171	179	467	18	930
Affected by warnings	43	98	78	243	6	468
AWARE OF WARNINGS? (% respondents)
Aware of warnings	77	76	59	88	64	77
Not aware of warnings	23	24	41	12	36	23
SOURCE OF WARNINGS (% of aware)a
Television	61	46	64	51	56	54
Newspaper and/or magazines	44	49	30	59	22	49
Posted signs	33	38	32	32	33	33
Anglers and/or friends	27	20	14	28	17	23
Other	6	9	7	12	11	10
RESPONSE TO WARNING (% of aware)
Affected by warnings	45	57	44	52	33	50
Not affected	55	43	56	48	67	50
TYPE OF RESPONSE (% of affected)
Stopped eating some species	37	51	44	47	67	46
Ate less of all species	37	27	28	21	17	25
Stopped eating all species	19	13	18	21	17	19
Ate less of some species	7	9	10	12	0	10

a Respondents could say "yes" to more than one category.

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