Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions: Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of saltwater recreational anglers that use Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS) and surrounding areas. It also provides information on sociodemographic characteristics, activity participation, and use of coastal and ocean waters off Georgia, both inside and outside GRNMS. The surveys collected data on informational sources about GRNMS, anglers’ trust of those sources, familiarity with GRNMS rules and regulations, and attitudes about selected management strategies for coastal and ocean resources both inside and outside GRNMS. For anglers inside GRNMS, perceptions of resource conditions were also assessed. The results of this study were also compared with data collected in 2010.

The survey, conducted in 2020, involved 367 Georgia residents who engaged in saltwater recreational fishing during 2019 in Georgia’s coastal and ocean waters. The findings revealed that, in general, recreational anglers were familiar with GRNMS and supportive of the protection of ocean and coastal resources in and around Georgia.

Key Words

saltwater recreational angler, Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, ocean health, ecosystem services, sociodemographics, fishing