Dear Sir/Madam:
Thank you for your interest
in our pilot survey on understanding how recreational
fisheries stakeholders view issues associated with
recreational fishing. We have now received over 300
responses and reached our desired target size. As
such, we have deactivated the survey.
As you can imagine, there are
many challenges associated with implementing a human
dimensions study on a continental or global scale,
particularly in the absence of a funding body that
would support recreational fishing research on that
scale. This pilot study was intended to obtain some
preliminary information on how we could engage anglers
and researchers/managers using an online survey tool.
The comments provided by participants at the end of
the survey (as well as on stakeholder discussion boards
that we are monitoring) will help us to understand
the biases, limitations, and opportunities for conducting
large-scale surveys using on line survey tools. Comments
will also help us to understand how we can better
ask general questions across a wide range of stakeholders,
each with a very specialized interest and expertise.
Many respondents indicated that the provision of qualifiers
would have been useful and that some questions were
applicable to one species/fishery but not to another.
Furthermore, we intentionally asked questions on topics
that are "divisive" (e.g., fish pain, how
to deal with anti-fishing activities) within the recreational
fisheries community to evaluate responses to these
very topical and emotional issues. Your responses
have been extremely informative.
We also want to respond to
a query from many of the participants - namely, "who
is funding the work and does that link to a specific
agenda on behalf of the research team". The answer
is that there is no funding support and the data are
being collected by students as part of a course that
is attempting to understand how the diversity of opinions
regarding recreational fisheries management and research
and our desire to ensure that the recreational fishing
sector is vibrant and sustainable. The primary purpose
is educational and we can assure you that we have
already learned much about the range and intensity
of opinions associated with the recreational fishing
sector.
Please visit this site in May
2008 for a brief summary of the findings. Until then,
happy fishing and tight lines.
Please send any feedback to:
global.rec.fishing@gmail.com
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