Surveys of recreational anglers reveal knowledge gaps and positive attitudes towards manta ray conservation in Florida

Abstract

South Florida has a significant number of recreational anglers, and some shore‐based fishing sites overlap with habitat for juvenile manta rays. Although manta rays are prohibited from harvest in Florida, they are frequently seen foul‐hooked or entangled in fishing line. Recreational anglers (n = 198) were surveyed at piers and inlet jetties in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA to assess their knowledge of and actions and attitudes towards manta rays. Analysis of the responses revealed that while most anglers could identify a manta ray (66.7%) and expressed no interest in casting at (93.4%) or catching a manta ray (95.5%), they lacked knowledge about threats to mantas, as well as their conservation and protected status. Surveyed anglers overwhelmingly supported manta ray conservation (82.3%) and environmental protection (98.0%). Results indicate pier and inlet anglers are not using tackle strong enough to land a large ray to remove fishing gear, therefore it is recommended that outreach focuses on preventing recreational fishery interactions with manta rays, encouraging use of environmentally friendly tackle, and fostering engagement with anglers as citizen scientists. These results can inform the design of outreach materials aimed at closing knowledge gaps and encouraging best practices. Positive attitudes towards the environment and existing neutral behaviours towards manta rays indicate an opportunity to shift the behaviour of shore‐based anglers in this area in support of manta ray conservation.

The distribution of manta rays in the western North Atlantic Ocean off the eastern United States

“…Fishing line entanglement was documented on 27% of individuals in southeast Florida, along with vessel strike injury and rapid wound healing 26 . Outreach focused on preventing recreational fishery interactions with manta rays, encouraging use of environmentally-friendly tackle, and fostering engagement with anglers as citizen scientists is needed in southeast Florida 106 . Our SDMs will allow managers to more effectively time and coordinate management strategies, including targeted outreach efforts and developing spatiotemporal ‘windows’ for action agencies to reduce the risk of manta interactions.…”

#Sawfish: Social media to assess public perceptions, behaviors, and attitudes towards a critically endangered species

“…and value healthy shark populations (Shiffman et al, 2014), and casual anglers who may not otherwise be aware of sawfish conservation (e.g., for discussion of Florida shorebased angler knowledge about manta conservation, see Pate et al, 2021).…”

“…There is evidence for support of conservation by some anglers, even when there is conflict between anglers and the species of conservation concern (e.g., support for conservation of sharks despite depredation) (Coulson et al, 2022). One study found anglers support conservation of manta rays, another threated species of ray, which like sawfish are unlikely to be in direct conflict with anglers (Pate et al, 2021). With this in mind, we believe that angler support for conservation of sawfish is very likely, because sawfish-angler conflict is limited, and anglers are often excited about encountering sawfish.…”

“…In this study, we use open-source and easily accessible Instagram posts to provide insights into the attitudes and behaviors of those who encounter smalltooth sawfish. These posts allowed us to obtain conservation-relevant data without completing formal surveys or focus groups which are relied on traditionally in environmental social science studies (Roberts, 2001;Arterburn et al, 2002;O'Malley et al, 2017;Pate et al, 2021). While these methods are effective and often produce data which can inform environmental policy and management, they can also be time consuming, expensive, and logistically difficult.…”

Influence of nearby environment on recreational bycatch of sea turtles at fishing piers in the eastern Gulf of Mexico

“…Fishing piers are an important source of recreational bycatch and entanglement for avian, fish, and other megafaunal species, such as sea turtles (Donnelly-Greenan et al 2019, Cook et al 2020, Pate et al 2021. In fact, recreational bycatch of sea turtles has been documented at fishing piers along the US Gulf of Mexico (GoMx) by STSSN for > 40 yr (Canon et al 1994, STSSN unpubl.…”