This document summarizes a study on fisher knowledge and attitudes towards new blue cod fishing regulations in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. The study found widespread dissatisfaction with the regulations, especially among older, more experienced, and local fishers. While knowledge of some regulations was high, many fishers disagreed with or did not understand other regulations like the transit rule. Perceived lack of participation in developing the regulations also contributed to negative attitudes. These negative attitudes and inconsistencies in regulation knowledge mean some non-compliance is likely occurring, weakening the effectiveness of the management strategy. The results suggest management should involve fishers ongoing and work to improve understanding and acceptance of all regulations.

1. Alyssa Thomas, Victoria University of Wellington
Supervisors: Taciano Milfont (VUW) and Michael Gavin (Colorado State)
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2. Presentation Outline
 Literature background
 Study aims
 Site information
 Methods
 Results & Discussion
 Management Implications
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3. Background
 Growing recognition that social and ecological aspects of
fisheries management are linked (Berkes, 2010)
 Fisher participation in the management process can
positively influence awareness and compliance (Jentoft &
McCay, 1995)
 Fisher attitudes towards and awareness of regulations also
shown to influence compliance (Page et al. 2004; Pierce &
Tomcko, 1998)
 But attitude and knowledge further influenced by
demographic variables (Page & Radomski, 2006; Schill &
Kline, 1995)
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From http://www.fish.govt.nz

4. Study Aims
 As part of a larger research project:
1) Assess fisher knowledge of the new blue cod
regulations
2) Evaluate fishers’ views on the new blue cod
regulations
3) Explore the influence of demographic factors such
as region of residence, age and local fishing experience on the
main variables considered
 Lack of research on social dimensions of current
management strategy
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5. 5
Marlborough Sounds Blue Cod
Fishery
• Popular holiday spot
• Intense recreational
fishing pressure
•~60% decline in blue cod
between 1995/1996 and 2007
4 year ban on blue cod fishing implemented
October 2008

6. Current Management Strategy
 Reopened in April 2011
1. Slot limit: 30-35cm
2. Daily bag limit: 2/person
3. Closed 4 months a year (September-20 December)
4. Fish cannot be filleted at sea (filleting rule)
5. Size and daily limits apply regardless of where caught
(transit rule)
 Initial proposal by Blue Cod Management Group
(BCMG), finalized by Ministry of Primary Industries
 Frustration as fishers believe feedback is being ignored
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7. Methods
 Face to face surveys of 311 fishers at four popular
launching spots in January/February 2013
 Asked about:
 Overall satisfaction with regulations and fishing
 Influence of regulations
 Correct knowledge of filleting & transit rule and
agreement with
 Awareness of BCMG and knowledge of their role
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8. Results: Satisfaction
 Widespread discontentment
and significant feelings of
frustration and anger
 Fishers negative towards
regulations (M=2.47)
 Age, fishing experience and
residency differences
observed
 Only marginally satisfied
with fishing itself (M=3.20)
 Because of regulations
 Region of residency
influence
2.99
2.38 2.38
2.61
1.78
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2
3
4
5
9 or less 10-19 20-29 30-39 40 or more
Meanlevelofsatisfaction
Years fishing in the Marlborough Sounds
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2.92
2.53 2.38
2.02
1
2
3
4
5
20-39 40-49 50-59 60 and over
Meanlevelofsatisfaction
Estimated age (years)

9. Regulation Satisfaction
 Filleting Rule: 71% agree
 Effects from age and experience
 Does n0t make much difference
 Non-compliance because of attitude likely fairly low
 Transit Rule: 34% agree
 Residency a significant influence
 Unfair, confusing, not legitimate
 Potential for high levels of non-compliance
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24.8
75.2
46.4
53.6
0 20 40 60 80
Agree
Disagree
Percentage
Non-Marlborough Resident
Marlborough Resident

10. Regulation Knowledge
 Knowledge of size and bag limits quite high
 92% correctly knew filleting rule
 Increases with experience and residency
 Applies to all fishers
 Not likely to be a driver of non-compliance
 60% correctly knew the transit rule
 Increases with local fishing experience
 Does not apply to all fishers
 Good possibility this is a driver of non-compliance
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11. Regulation Influence on Fishing
 Level of influence is small (M=2.38)
 Age, fishing experience and residency all
significant
 Rules mainly influence where and how often
 Not a primary driver of non-compliance
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2.0676
2.254 2.28 2.3878
2.9831
1
2
3
4
5
9 or less 10-19 20-29 30-39 40 or more
Levelofinfluence
Years fishing in the Marlborough Sounds

12. Blue Cod Management Group
 50% of the fishers had heard of the BCMG
 Age, fishing experience and residency all significant
 But only 34% provided accurate details on role
 Age significant
 Belief that BCMG responsible for the new regulations
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Never
heard of
group
50%
Heard of group
and knew their
role
16%
Only heard of
group
34%
Other
50%

13. Influence of age and experience
 Significant for five (age) and six (experience) variables
 Lowered satisfaction, increased knowledge and influence
 Least experienced/youngest fishers
 Only known a depleted fishery
 Some similar regulations
 Less distinct preferences
 Quicker to accept changes
 Most experienced/oldest fishers
 “the good old days”
 Less restrictive regulations
 More set in their habits
 Tougher to gain support from this group
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14. Influence of local residency
 Significant effect on six variables
 Lowered satisfaction
 Increased knowledge and influence
 Local fishers:
 Struggle to see improvements
 Can afford to be more particular
 Higher levels of investment in the fishery
 Increased exposure to fishery information
 Rules affect them to a greater degree, may be more hesitant to
accept
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15. Participation
 Common complaint regarding lack of participation
 Yet limited knowledge of the official forum (BCMG)
 But fishers with more negative attitudes more likely to
believe in lack of participation or consultation
 Fisher participation can lead to more widely accepted
rules
 Filleting vs. transit rules
 Fishers believe BCMG just a “token gesture”
 Negative attitudes towards regulations, management
process
Strong potential for non-compliance
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16. Management Implications
 Necessity of determining fisher knowledge of and
attitudes towards regulations
 Difficult to design regulations all fishers will accept
 Fisher involvement in management should be
ongoing, not just at the start
 Even a perceived lack of participation may lead to
negative attitudes
 For the Marlborough Sounds results suggest high-
levels of non-compliance may be occurring
 Undermining effectiveness of the new regulations
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17. Thanks to:
 Taciano Milfont and Michael Gavin
 School of Geography, Environment & Earth Sciences;
Victoria University
 Participating fishers
Alyssa Thomas
 alyssa.thomas@vuw.ac.nz
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18. References
Berkes, F. (2010). Shifting perspectives on resource management: Resilience and the
Reconceptualization of 'Natural Resources' and 'Management'. Maritime Studies, 9(1), 13-40.
Jentoft, S., & McCay, B. (1995). User participation in fisheries management: Lessons drawn from
international experiences. Marine Policy, 19(3), 227-246.
Page, K. S., Grant, G. C., Radomski, P., Jones, T. S., & Bruesewitz, R. E. (2004). Fish total length
measurement error from recreational anglers: causes and contribution to noncompliance for the
Mille Lacs walleye fishery. North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 24(3), 939-951.
Page, K. S., & Radomski, P. (2006). Compliance with sport fishery regulations in Minnesota as
related to regulation awareness. Fisheries, 31(4), 166-178.
Pierce, R. B., & Tomcko, C. M. (1998). Angler Noncompliance with Slot Length Limits for Northern
Pike in Five Small Minnesota Lakes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 18(3), 720-
724.
Schill, D. J., & Kline, P. A. (1995). Use of random response to estimate angler non compliance with
fishing regulations. North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 15(4), 721-731.
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