Exploring the hidden connections between information channel use and pro-environmental behavior among recreational anglers of the shore-based shark fishery in Florida, United States
IntroductionShore-based shark fishing in Florida is a relatively low-cost and easy-access fishery which attracts a wide variety of experienced and inexperienced anglers leading to concerns about proper handling methods of captured fish that are released either voluntarily or to comply with regulatio...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Communication |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2022.1059113/full |
| _version_ | 1797961828187242496 |
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| author | Jessika D. Guay Jill L. Brooks Jill L. Brooks Jacqueline M. Chapman Hannah Medd Steven J. Cooke Steven J. Cooke Vivian M. Nguyen Vivian M. Nguyen |
| author_facet | Jessika D. Guay Jill L. Brooks Jill L. Brooks Jacqueline M. Chapman Hannah Medd Steven J. Cooke Steven J. Cooke Vivian M. Nguyen Vivian M. Nguyen |
| author_sort | Jessika D. Guay |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionShore-based shark fishing in Florida is a relatively low-cost and easy-access fishery which attracts a wide variety of experienced and inexperienced anglers leading to concerns about proper handling methods of captured fish that are released either voluntarily or to comply with regulations. Proper handling methods can help reduce post-release mortality among sharks, many of which are threatened with extinction. Therefore, we considered proper handling methods as a pro-environmental behavior, which has been linked with the use of different information channels to increase conservation knowledge.MethodsWe used data from an online questionnaire to understand where anglers of this fishery obtain information about fishing skills with a particular focus on fish handling techniques and best practices for catch-and-release. Then we included their main information channels in a series of hierarchical regression models with perceived conservation knowledge and support for fishery management to explain pro-environmental behavior regarding shark conservation.ResultsWe found that most anglers learned about shore-based shark fishing through interpersonal communications with friends and family, but typically use the internet to learn more about fishing skills. While information channel use was not significantly associated with pro-environmental behavior, it was significantly associated with support for fisheries management, which in turn was associated with pro-environmental behavior among respondents.DiscussionThese findings can inform public educational outreach efforts to spread awareness of proper handling techniques and reduce instances of post-release mortality in sharks. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T01:03:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-15c8e25e11dc4505a1b04e6109d2d2c7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2297-900X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T01:03:54Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Communication |
| spelling | doaj.art-15c8e25e11dc4505a1b04e6109d2d2c72023-01-04T13:44:12ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Communication2297-900X2023-01-01710.3389/fcomm.2022.10591131059113Exploring the hidden connections between information channel use and pro-environmental behavior among recreational anglers of the shore-based shark fishery in Florida, United StatesJessika D. Guay0Jill L. Brooks1Jill L. Brooks2Jacqueline M. Chapman3Hannah Medd4Steven J. Cooke5Steven J. Cooke6Vivian M. Nguyen7Vivian M. Nguyen8Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, CanadaDepartment of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, CanadaAmerican Shark Conservancy, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, United StatesDepartment of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, CanadaAmerican Shark Conservancy, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, United StatesDepartment of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, CanadaInstitute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, CanadaDepartment of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, CanadaInstitute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, CanadaIntroductionShore-based shark fishing in Florida is a relatively low-cost and easy-access fishery which attracts a wide variety of experienced and inexperienced anglers leading to concerns about proper handling methods of captured fish that are released either voluntarily or to comply with regulations. Proper handling methods can help reduce post-release mortality among sharks, many of which are threatened with extinction. Therefore, we considered proper handling methods as a pro-environmental behavior, which has been linked with the use of different information channels to increase conservation knowledge.MethodsWe used data from an online questionnaire to understand where anglers of this fishery obtain information about fishing skills with a particular focus on fish handling techniques and best practices for catch-and-release. Then we included their main information channels in a series of hierarchical regression models with perceived conservation knowledge and support for fishery management to explain pro-environmental behavior regarding shark conservation.ResultsWe found that most anglers learned about shore-based shark fishing through interpersonal communications with friends and family, but typically use the internet to learn more about fishing skills. While information channel use was not significantly associated with pro-environmental behavior, it was significantly associated with support for fisheries management, which in turn was associated with pro-environmental behavior among respondents.DiscussionThese findings can inform public educational outreach efforts to spread awareness of proper handling techniques and reduce instances of post-release mortality in sharks.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2022.1059113/fullhuman dimensionsscience communicationrecreational fisheriesangler behaviorangler perceptionsshark fishing |
| spellingShingle | Jessika D. Guay Jill L. Brooks Jill L. Brooks Jacqueline M. Chapman Hannah Medd Steven J. Cooke Steven J. Cooke Vivian M. Nguyen Vivian M. Nguyen Exploring the hidden connections between information channel use and pro-environmental behavior among recreational anglers of the shore-based shark fishery in Florida, United States Frontiers in Communication human dimensions science communication recreational fisheries angler behavior angler perceptions shark fishing |
| title | Exploring the hidden connections between information channel use and pro-environmental behavior among recreational anglers of the shore-based shark fishery in Florida, United States |
| title_full | Exploring the hidden connections between information channel use and pro-environmental behavior among recreational anglers of the shore-based shark fishery in Florida, United States |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the hidden connections between information channel use and pro-environmental behavior among recreational anglers of the shore-based shark fishery in Florida, United States |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the hidden connections between information channel use and pro-environmental behavior among recreational anglers of the shore-based shark fishery in Florida, United States |
| title_short | Exploring the hidden connections between information channel use and pro-environmental behavior among recreational anglers of the shore-based shark fishery in Florida, United States |
| title_sort | exploring the hidden connections between information channel use and pro environmental behavior among recreational anglers of the shore based shark fishery in florida united states |
| topic | human dimensions science communication recreational fisheries angler behavior angler perceptions shark fishing |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2022.1059113/full |
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