Fisheries researchers and managers
are often interested in questions that cannot be
answered through cross-sectional surveys or creel
intercepts. Among these questions are: Why do anglers
fish more or less often during a given year? What causes
anglers to quit fishing? How does acceptance of
management tools change with time? Answers to these
questions require a longitudinal panel study design.
These designs allow researchers to follow the same
individuals over several years and are useful in
identifying changes in fishing participation and
preferences.A panel of
1,500 Texas saltwater anglers was established in 1989 to
study how an individual's involvement with sport fishing
changes over time. Panel members have been contacted
twice per year since the beginning of the study.
Study results have been used
directly by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department managers
to anticipate constituent support for management
measures under consideration and to evaluate the
response to management measures already implemented.
During the Spring 1994 mailing, for example, the focus
was on proposed changes to flounder regulations. Further
data collection will allow investigations of changes in
behavior, attitudes and beliefs over time.
This study is partially funded
by the Fisheries Division of the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department, with additional support from the
Wright & McGill Company and the Gulf Coast Conservation
Association. Initial funding to establish the panel was
provided by the Texas A&M University Sea Grant College
Program.
For further information, please
contact
Brian Bohnsack
