Understanding Angler Preferences and Participation for Management of Alabama Recreational Fisheries
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Understanding Angler Preferences and Participation for Management of Alabama Recreational Fisheries by Jessica Leigh Quintana A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Auburn University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Auburn, Alabama August 1, 2015 Keywords: angler, management, preferences, specialization Copyright 2015 by Jessica Leigh Quintana Approved by Wayde Morse, Chair, Associate Professor of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Elise Irwin, Associate Professor of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences Terrill R. Hanson, Professor of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Science Todd Steury, Associate Professor of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Abstract Due to recent declines in the number of licensed freshwater anglers, there is an increasing demand to understand angler preferences and how that impacts participation. Incorporating angler characteristics into traditional fisheries management allows mangers to better understand how a fishery is being utilized and how changes might impact those users. Key areas where anglers differ that impact participation rates are their motivations for fishing, their level of specialization as an angler, catch orientation, and their species and setting preferences for selecting where to fish. Despite extensive research on angler characteristics within the literature, state – wide surveys that include research on anglers and how they can influence management decisions has never been studied in Alabama. This paper address those research needs, demonstrating critical differences within the angler population, and how those differences can help inform management decisions to aid in angler recruitment and retention efforts. ii Acknowledgments I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Wayde Morse for the opportunity to pursue my master’s degree, and fellow committee members Elise Irwin, Terry Hanson, and Todd Steury for their help and guidance throughout this project. I would like thank the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division for the funding of this project. Specifically, I would like to thank Matthew Marshall and Chris Greene of ADCNR WFF for their input throughout the survey design process and the state lake site visits. I would like to thank the state lake managers at Barbour, Bibb, Dale, Lee, and Madison County Public fishing Lakes for their generosity and hospitality throughout my lake visits. I would like to all my fellow lab members and student workers for their valued help stuffing envelope packets and organizing survey responses. Lastly, I would like to thank my family and friends for their continued support throughout this project, and through all my endeavors. iii Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments........................................................................................................................ iii List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ............................................................................................................................. vii List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................................. viii Chapter 1: Introduction and Methods ......................................................................................... 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 Rationale and Significance ............................................................................................. 7 Methods ........................................................................................................................... 9 References ....................................................................................................................... 16 Chapter 2: Using Specialization to Determine Differences in Setting Preferences of Freshwater Fishing Site Selection of Alabama Anglers ...................................... 23 Abstract ........................................................................................................................... 23 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 24 Literature Review............................................................................................................ 25 Methods........................................................................................................................... 27 Results ............................................................................................................................. 30 Discussion ....................................................................................................................... 36 References ....................................................................................................................... 41 iv Chapter 3: Assessing Changes in Fishing Trips by Target Species in Alabama ....................... 52 Abstract .......................................................................................................................... 52 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 53 Methods........................................................................................................................... 55 Results ............................................................................................................................. 60 Discussion ....................................................................................................................... 65 Conclusions and Management Implications ................................................................... 67 References ....................................................................................................................... 69 Chapter 4: Project Summary ....................................................................................................... 76 Appendix 1 ................................................................................................................................ 79 v List of Tables Table 1.1: Age Comparison between License Lists ................................................................... 21 Table 2:1: Age Group Comparison and Results ....................................................................... 44 Table 2.2: Principal Component Analysis of Motivations ........................................................ 45 Table 2.3: Specialization Indicator Variable Comparison ........................................................ 46 Table 2.4: Demographic Information Analysis and Results ...................................................... 47 Table 2.5: Motivations by Specialization Group Comparison .................................................. 48 Table 2.6: Setting Preferences and Comparative Results .......................................................... 49 Table 2.7: Additional Trip Results.............................................................................................. 51 Table 3.1: Sociodemographic Results by Species ...................................................................... 72 Table 3.2: Regression Model Variables ...................................................................................... 73 Table 3.3: Fishing Trip Comparisons by Species ....................................................................... 74 vi List of Figures Figure 1.1: Location of the Alabama Public State Lakes .......................................................... 22 Figure 3.1: Demand Curve of Additional Trips by Increased Catch ......................................... 75 vii List of Abbreviations ADCNR Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources PCA Principal Component Analysis TCM Travel cost method WFF Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division viii Chapter 1: Introduction and Methods Introduction Management of recreational fishing resources demands not only an understanding of ecological processes, but also an understanding of the wants and needs of recreational anglers. Recreational angling is an important historic pastime such that in 2011, one in seven U.S. residents 16 years old and older went fishing and spent US$41.8 billion in total expenditures, which includes equipment, licenses, and associated travel costs (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2012). Because state funded agencies rely on revenue from license sales and excise taxes from equipment for management of fishery resources, a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of management is required to meet the needs of anglers. Larry Nielson (1999) identified three essential principles to fisheries management: the organisms, their habitats, and humans that utilize both organism and habitat. By considering angler characteristics and preferences, fisheries managers can design best management practices that provide healthy ecological systems, while also creating an environment that attracts and satisfies anglers. In Alabama alone, anglers spent US$456 Million on fishing trip related expenditures in 2011 (U.S.