Development and Evolution of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Urban Fishing Program

摘要

Environmental communicators are constantly faced with the choice of what methods to use when developing their public outreach programs. Correct method selection is critical, especially when specific audiences must be reached who do not use traditionalinformation channels. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection decided to conduct an environmental education program as a method to communicate fish consumption advisories to young people--one of the target groups most affected by exposureto dioxins and PCBs in recreationally caught fish and crabs. The program is an outgrowth of a wider community-based public information effort to warn citizens about the dangers of consuming recreationally caught fish and crabs from the Newark Bay Complexin New Jersey. Initially, a one day fishing event, the program evolved into four days of hands-on activities, including fishing and boating, that introduce urban students to their local watershed and aquatic environment.