Effects of Information on Knowledge about Pfiesteria and Seafood Consumption

Abstract

Coverage of fish kills attributed to toxic algal outbreaks by both the media and members of the scientific community have caused seafood eaters to reconsider or abandon their seafood consumption habits. One government agency (EPA) has tried to ameliorate public fears caused by misinformation by providing brochures of the best available data on safety issues involved in these outbreaks. This study addresses the effectiveness of information disseminated to the public concerning a rather complex natural phenomenon. Telephone interviews were used to access the effects of brochure information on respondents' characterization of the organism Pftesteria, and their probable response in terms of seafood consumption. The random effects probit model is used as well to quantify probable effects of toxic algal outbreaks on seafood consumption in view of the respondents understanding of the phenomenon (cultural model) and socioeconomic traits.