Examining the Physical, Mental, and Social Health Outcomes Among Commercial Fishers to Inform Policy and Practice

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Despite the economic impact fishers have on the US economy, commercial fishing is an understudied population and continues to be one of the most dangerous industries in the US, with a fatality rate 29 times higher than the national average. Falls overboard and vessel disasters are two of the highest fatal and non- fatal injuries fishers face. Despite these alarming statistics, commercial fishers are an understudied population, especially when considering that US commercial fishing, the seafood industry, and recreational fishing generated $208 billion in sales impacts, contributed $97 billion to the GDP, and supported 1.6 million full and part time jobs. Falls overboard and vessel disasters are rapidly increasing traumatic injuries for commercial fishers, yet little is known about how to translate research findings to influence and improve maritime policy and practice. Non-fatal injuries can have disastrous occupational health outcomes such as lost work time and wages, unemployment, long-term disability, and psychological stress. Further, fatal and non-fatal injuries effect all aspects of family life, including the physical and mental health of infants and children in the household. Thus, there is a critical need for evidence-based research that informs policies to improve the well-being of these communities. The future of work equity will demand a research agenda that looks at occupational health holistically, including a focus on social and economic risk factors and a specification of social policies and policy prescriptions to promote equity in the workplace. To address this need, I will conduct a systematic review and holistic ethnography (i.e., participant observation, semi-structured interviews, photovoice) using interpretive policy analysis to study the structural and social causes for increased traumatic injuries for commercial fishers, analyzing and translating those findings to policymakers and practitioners. Although improving work equity for maritime workers is decidedly difficult, it is possible. In addition to overcoming limitations of previous research-to-practice and research-to-policy studies, this will be among the first study to rigorously evaluate the health outcomes of Gulf Coast commercial fishers and translate the findings for state and federal policymakers. This innovative project addresses a NIOSH priority goal (6.1H) and will ultimately result in reduced fatal and non-fatal injuries and improve lives for commercial fishers.