Thresholds of danger: Perceived risk in a New England fishery

• Published in: Human Organization
• Main Authors: Pollnac, Richard B., Poggie, John J., Cabral, Stephen L.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: DigitalCommons@URI 1998
• Subjects: Fishing; Maritime anthropology; Massachusetts; Occupational safety; Post-traumatic stress syndrome; US; Risk; Bedford; New Bedford; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/maf_facpubs/231; https://doi.org/10.17730/humo.57.1.6102370471p43530

Building on previous research published in this journal (Pollnac et al. 1995), the paper examines individual and cultural factors that influence the thresholds of danger among North Atlantic fishers from New Bedford, Massachusetts. Refined measures of perceptions of the dangers of fishing are developed and examined in terms of their relationship to individual differences such as ethnicity, age, fishing experience, onboard position, type of fishing, vessel size, and prior experience with hazardous fishing incidents. Relationships uncovered are, in turn, examined in relation to aspects of the occupational subculture of fishing that adapt fishers to the dangers associated with the occupation. Implications of these adaptations with respect to fisher safety training are explored.