Commercial fishing is among the most hazardous occupations in the United States, with high rates of injury, chronic pain, and opioid-related overdose deaths. Fishing communities in Washington and Alaska expressed concern about substance use, highlighting the need for practical, industry-specific training. This project aims to address practice gaps by developing and delivering a culturally relevant, accessible e-learning module for fish-related workers on substance use awareness, overdose recognition, and rescue medication use. This project aims to improve emergency preparedness and highlight the importance of translating theoretical knowledge into action within high-risk, remote occupational settings such as commercial fishing vessels.
This work also aligns with research and practice priorities set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishing (AgFF) Program, and the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). The NORA Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing Sector Council recognizes that workers in the commercial fishing industry face disproportionate risks for injury and death, along with social and structural determinants that limit their ability to safeguard their own health and safety.
Specifically, it aligns with NIOSH Strategic Goal 1, “Reduce occupational cancer, cardiovascular disease, adverse reproductive outcomes, and other chronic diseases,” by acknowledging that substance/opioid use disorder is a chronic condition with known contributors in this industry, such as pain from musculoskeletal injuries, long working hours, and limited access to care. It supports Strategic Goal 6, “improve workplace safety to reduce traumatic injury,” by reducing the risk of fatalities at sea. Additionally, it addresses Strategic Goal 7, “Promote safe and healthy work design and well-being,” and directly supports worker well-being by addressing substance use, overdose response, and mental health.
Finally, it aligns with the AgFF Program by highlighting research regarding opioids in the commercial fishing industry and “producing educational, outreach, and prevention programs to guide workers and employers.”
Products:
e-Learning Module is available as a permanent education resource through the Northwest Center for Public Health Practice’s PHLearn Link Platform – Be Prepared at Sea: Opioid Awareness and Naloxone Administration.
Publication:
Dennistoun, A., Kasner, E., Damewood, D., Maw, R., & Willgerodt, M. (2026). From Knowledge to Action: Engaging Washington’s Commercial Fishing Community in Substance Use Awareness and Prevention. Journal of Agromedicine, 31(3), 428–435. https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2026.2642324.
Blog:
Northwest Center for Public Health Practice, From Hospital Rooms to Open Waters: Autumn Dennistoun is Working to Prevent Overdose at Sea.
Autumn Dennistoun, DNP, RN, University of Washington