The Human
Dimensions/Fisheries Lab at
Texas A&M University
specializes in social research on recreational
fisheries. Problem solving research projects are
completed for state and federal agencies in support
of their resource management responsibilities (Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department, National Marine
Fisheries Service, Minerals Management Service among
others) as well as for NGOs interested in fisheries
conservation (the International Billfish Research
and Conservation Foundation, Game Conservation
International, Costa Rica Ecology Watch, and the
Sport Fishing Institute among others). Recent
studies have investigated use patterns and
preferences of TPWD offshore artificial reef users,
clientele of urban fishing programs, support for
proposed changes in saltwater and freshwater fishing
regulations, and the social and economic benefits
associated with recreational fisheries in support of
re-allocation decisions. Human dimensions research
projects have been completed for the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department annually since 1986.
In
addition to grant support from the Texas Sea Grant
Program and National Marine Fisheries Service,
priority has gone to those contracted research
opportunities that afford basic research
opportunities in addition to problem solving.
Recently, basic work has focused on better
understanding the constraints to participation in
fishing, the role of social group in recreation
participation and site selection, specialization
theory as a predictive means for understanding the
diversity among fishing participants, why people
fish?, and correcting for non- response survey bias.
Projects provide graduate students interested in
human dimensions careers with apprenticeship
research experiences.
With graduate and undergraduate
student support, the lab is capable of completing
multiple survey research projects concurrently. Mail
survey techniques for data collection are used
almost exclusively. An automated survey system that
relies on barcode technology has been developed to
enhance survey research efficiency and quality
control. Research efforts are supported by the Human
Dimensions Bibliography, a computerized
relational database and retrieval system that
currently has 4,914 literature citations with hard
copy support. The Lab is directed by
Dr. Robert B.
Ditton.
