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Understanding Coral Reef Use: Anglers, Divers, and Snorkelers in the Florida Keys
Introduction
There are no ecological solutions to most of our current coral reef problems. Combating overfishing, pollution, improper or illegal behaviors, and declines in water quality require substantial input from, information about, and support from people. However, despite the fact that most feel we manage the people, not the coral, coral reef management has a disappointing history of inadequately funding and implementing research into the behavior, attitudes, preferences, values, and beliefs of people.The values and priorities of society as expressed by our social, political, and economic systems drive coral reef management. Therefore, coral reef management approaches that do not have well elaborated, management supported human dimensions (social science) components will lack an interdisciplinary and integrated outlook. Such an outlook is necessary if coral reef managers are to manage the resource for the entirety of the range of social values that are important and relevant.
This case study reports on a project that is not yet fully complete (data collection concludes in late June, 2007, so full analysis has not been conducted and conclusions have yet to be written). It details one of the first human dimensions projects in an integrated coral reef research and management endeavor, the Florida Reef Resilience Program (FRRP). The program entails the first large-scale assessment of coral reef resiliency (a term used to describe the theorized ability of some reefs to better deal with environmental changes and impacts) in Florida. Volunteer and research scuba divers from several agencies, organizations and universities are recording the number and species of coral and the extent of bleaching at over 170 locations. The Florida Reef Resiliency Program is funded by the state of Florida and The Nature Conservancy.
The University of Massachusetts? project consists of survey-based research in support of a FRRP goal of understanding how people use and value reefs in Florida. Such information is necessary if proper management decisions are to be made in the future using FRRP data. To the extent possible, human dimensions research questions have been harmonized with biophysical questions.
Credit: Christopher Hawkins, University of Massachusetts
Methods, Tools, and Data
Survey DesignData is being collected via a mail questionnaire approach. The survey instrument was developed over a four-month period; a process that yielded two 16-page mail questionnaires (divers/snorkelers and anglers). Questions were designed to cover a variety of human dimensions concepts related to diver and angler norms, motivations, expectations, accomplishments, and satisfaction, as well as equipment expenditures, levels of media interaction, attitudes towards coral reef use, and stakeholder perceptions and evaluations of biological conditions. Items were also included to collect basic demographic data, including respondent gender, age, race, ethnicity, income, and place of residence.
The questionnaire items were reviewed by graduate students, an academic committee at the University of Massachusetts, a senior research associate at the University of Miami, a research programs coordinator at Florida Atlantic University, and employees of The Nature Conservancy and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration for wording, relevance, and appropriateness. In addition, two SCUBA divers outside of the University were asked to complete the draft questionnaire and comment on how long they spent completing the survey, any questions that were confusing, and any other aspects of the survey that could be better presented. Based on these comments, the length of the survey was reduced, and some modifications to question wording were made.
Sampling
The goal of the human dimensions project sampling scheme is to gather a representative sample of divers and anglers over a period of one year. A target sample size of 7,000 was chosen based on a framework that includes four user groups (private recreational anglers, private recreational divers, for-hire recreational anglers, and for-hire recreational divers) and three zones (Upper Keys, Middle Keys, and Lower Keys). This number reflects a desired response rate of 60%, which would yield 4,200 surveys for analysis. Intercepts began in June 2006 and will take place during approximately one week of each month during a 12 month period. Divers and anglers are being sampled from each of the three zones (Upper Keys, Middle Keys, and Lower Keys) over the course of the project.
Per trip sampling occurs in two contiguous zones (lower/middle or upper/middle). If one zone is not included in a certain month, it is covered during the following sampling period. Sampling consists of intercepting people engaged in recreational fishing, diving or snorkeling and asking them if they would be willing to complete a mailed survey regarding their recreation experience. The sample is drawn from the larger population by intercepting for hire or private anglers, divers, and snorkelers at boat ramps, on the water at reef and fishing sites (oceanside- shore to 90?), on fishing docks, and at dive centers.
Intercepts are being conducted both on land and water to gather a representative sample of both for-hire and private divers and anglers. On-water intercepts are conducted using rental boats and the Mote Marine Laboratory boat. On-water intercepts were quite successful during the summer months; however, windy weather and high waves have limited survey capabilities during the autumn months. Land intercepts are conducted at company docks before or after diving and fishing trips.
Forty-three dive shops Keys-wide have agreed to let us approach their customers before or after trips. A few shops have refused to allow us to intercept customers. Likewise, most fishing boat companies have been amenable to the intercepts, with a few exceptions. We are generally able to sample every operation that has given us permission to do so during each day of each trip. To reach adequate sample targets per day, we do not randomize operations or users. Rather, we attempt intercept every user we come across, unless conditions are not appropriate or safe to do so.
Survey Distribution
The first round of survey materials was mailed to divers and anglers in October 2006. This first mailing included all individuals intercepted in June, July, August, and September. Since the initial October mailing, surveys have been sent to anglers and divers immediately following each intercept period. To maximize response rate, survey materials are sent out using the Dillman (1978) Total Design Method. Following each intercept wave, all potential study participants are sent a packet of survey materials that includes a cover letter thanking them for their participation and ensuring their confidentiality, a questionnaire, a business reply envelope, and a map of the Florida Keys. One week after mailing the initial packet, all potential respondents are sent a post-card that reminds them about the study, reminds them of the importance of their participation, and thanks them for completing the survey if they?ve already completed and returned it. Three weeks after the initial mailing, potential respondents who have not returned a questionnaire are sent a second packet of survey materials. For this mailing, the packet materials are the same as in the first mailing, except that the cover letter is revised slightly to further emphasize the importance of their participation. Six weeks after the initial mailing, all potential respondents who have not returned a survey are sent a third packet of materials, with a cover letter that further emphasizes the importance of their participation. All letters and post-cards are hand-addressed and stamped. This "personalizing" of survey materials and sending multiple copies of the survey to potential respondents is used to help maximize the response rate.
Response Rates
To date, response rates are averaging about 60% for divers/snorkelers and about 50% for anglers. Angler response is somewhat lower that we had hoped. Lower response rates could be explained in part by the length of the survey instrument, as shorter, simpler instruments tend to be associated with higher response rates. Also, some of those who did not respond may have been first time or opportunistic participants in the activity, and therefore felt they had little basis for completing the survey once they received it.
Credit: Christopher Hawkins, University of Massachusetts
Discussion of Results
Sampling ChallengesThe primary challenge associated with this project has been the inability to collect a larger sample of anglers. Unlike divers, anglers are not concentrated in high numbers in any one place, either on the water or at the dock. For example, boat operators who take people reef fishing typically take six or fewer and often there are several members of the same household on the boat. The reality is that a larger sampling team is needed to obtain high numbers of angler names and addresses at docks. With regard to on the water intercepts, fishing activity is spread over a wide area of water, which means that contacts are fewer per hour than at a reef site where divers are found in greater numbers in close proximity to each other. An additional challenge has been weather, as wind and storm activity greatly reduced boating in the Winter and Spring months.
Data Analysis
Data are still being collected and have not yet been analyzed. There will be a variety of comparisons and several analytical techniques used and there are several themes in the surveys. Likely to be examined are user group norms, perceptions of social and ecological conditions, Florida Keys residents versus tourists views, levels of satisfaction with the recreational experience, and beliefs about causes of damage to coral reefs, among others. Many of these concepts will be evaluated through the lens of recreation specialization, which looks at how participants? perceptions, beliefs, norms, and attitudes with how specialized they are in the activity.
Credit: Christopher Hawkins, University of Massachusetts
Contacts/Resources
For more information about the Human Dimensions of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Program, please contact Dr. David Loomis. Or, visit www.umass.edu/hdInformation about the Florida Reef Resilience Program can be found at: