Fishers on the Portland Harbor is a research project that investigates the behaviors of people who subsistence fish on Portland Harbor's superfund site. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deems the site toxic due to industrial waste dumping over the last century. Fish caught from the site contain high levels of toxins and are unsafe for consumption. The goal of the project was to determine how effective information regarding the consumption of fish from this site is to the at-risk fishers.
STRATEGY
The project began with preliminary background research on the Portland Harbor superfund site, including its effects on humans, public policies regarding the clean up process, and major stakeholders involved. The at-risk fishing community was engaged by using ethnographic field methods to conduct interviews with fishers at the superfund sites and observe their fishing activities.
OUTCOME
Project findings were compiled into a report using graphics to share information easily with people unaware of the issue. The report was used as a starting point to develop a more effective method of communicating information to the at-risk community, in addition to educating more people about the Portland Harbor superfund site and its stakeholders.
Example page from field notebook (click image to enlarge)
Field notebook continued (click image to enlarge)
Pacific Northwest College of Art / Masters in Collaborative Design Thesis Work
Research + Design: Joan Lundell
Thesis Mentor: Stephanie Gioia
Field Assistant: Scott Bortel