University of Rhode Island assistant nursing professor Thaís São-João believes commercial fishermen are an important part of the Rhode Island economy, and she wants them to get better healthcare.

Working toward that goal, São-João is studying the cardiometabolic health and quality of life of Rhode Island fishermen.

"My ultimate goal would be to have a special health policy for them," said São-João. "They should be taken care of."

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Would better health increase fishermen's productivity?

Fishing has long been a key part of Rhode Island's so-called blue economy, and São-João's study relates to economic goals proposed by the Rhode Island Blue Economy Technology Cluster Coalition, according to URI.

By focusing on fisheries, ports, shipping, defense, marine trades, ocean-based renewables, aquaculture, and tourism and recreation, the coalition wants to add 54,000 blue economy jobs within 10 years and nearly double blue economy productivity.

The Rhode Island Blue Economy Technology Cluster "is taking this unique opportunity to set a 21st century definition for the Blue Economy; one that is centered on equitable economic development and environmental sustainability through advanced technologies and renewable energy," the coalition says in a summary for the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

Would better health increase fishermen's productivity and impact the blue economy?

That's what the study, funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health, wants to answer.

The blue economy coalition's effort is led by the URI Research Foundation. São-João, a native of Brazil who joined the URI faculty in 2022, believes her study is a way for her to contribute. She says she's grateful for the opportunity she has at URI.

"I thought this was something I could help with," she said.

Long hours, poor diet and little sleep leads to poor health for fishermen

The state's commercial fishery generates about $100 million in seafood landings annually, according to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. But commercial fishermen often work in conditions that are detrimental to their health, São-João' noted in an interview. They can be at sea for long periods, getting little sleep and eating poorly. Stress levels are high as catches are unpredictable.

Still, there's not much information either locally or nationally on their health and how it affects their work, São-João said.

“Although there are exceptional federal regulations that provide information and policies focused on environment safety, occupational safety risk and nature preservation, little is known about the health of, and care provided to the commercial fishermen,” São-João said in a URI press release. “On top of that, no relation between their health and how it affects the blue economy has been investigated."

"Our results will inform the development of interventions to prevent fishermen from having poor health and quality of life, and also to improve their overall health and quality of life in the future,” she said.

To get the information she wants, São-João will need the cooperation of 60 fishermen. They will be asked about diet, sleep, physical activity and nicotine use. Their blood pressure, weight, height, and waist, neck and hip circumferences will be measured. Their lipids, glucose and insulin will be checked.

This study will take place in three ports — Davisville, ProvPort and Newport.

São-João will work with faculty mentor Kim Arcoleo and research partners Azure Cygler and Jennifer McCann from the URI Graduate School of Oceanography.

They will also consider the fishermen's reported fishing landings.

The study will last about a year and São-João hopes it ultimately leads to better lives for Rhode Island fishermen.

"We want them to be healthier and happier," she said.