Amateur Bass Tournament Anglers in New York and Their Knowledge of Aquatic Invasive Species

Knowledge of aquatic invasive species (AIS), and AIS spread prevention behavior of boaters and anglers continues to be of interest to natural resource managers.  As a subset of recreational anglers, tournament anglers and fishing guides likely differ in their knowledge, attitudes, and travel patterns as it relates to AIS.  These stakeholders “move among waterways with extraordinary frequency” and one study has documented important opportunities for improvement in boat cleaning practices among this user group (Rothlisberger et al., 2010).  In 2009 and 2010 we surveyed (web, mail and in-person) amateur tournament anglers (i.e. NY Bass Chapter Federation; n=986). The data collection centered on their knowledge of AIS spread prevention measures, and the degree to which they have adopted these measures. Preliminary analysis of the survey responses suggests that amateur tournament anglers are quite knowledgeable about AIS.  When queried about their knowledge of water chestnut, sixty two percent responded that “they could identify this plant and describe how it reproduces and spreads.”  The same percentage responses for hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), Eurasian milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), curly leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus), and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) were 44, 39, 21, and 20 respectively.   Percentage responses (same question) for Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa), European frog-bit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae), and fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana) were less than 10%.  Tournament anglers were similarly queried about their knowledge of a set of vertebrate/invertebrate AIS species.  Seventy-three percent indicated they could identify and were knowledgeable of reproduction in zebra/quagga mussels (Dreissena sp.).  Percentage responses for round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), white perch (Morone americana), northern snakehead (Channa argus), alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), spiny/fishhook waterflea (Bythotrephes longimanus/Cercopagis pengoi), and rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) were 60, 56, 51, 49, 18, and 14 respectively. No demographic variables (annual income, education level, age) served as predictors of the propensity to inspect boat trailers (Spearman’s rho; p>0.05).  The inclination to wash boats, motors, trailers etc. was significantly correlated with education (Spearman’s rho, p<0.046) but not with either income or age.  The propensity to dry one’s boat, live well, lower unit, anchor rope, tackle, etc. after a day’s fishing was not significantly correlated with any of the demographic variables (p>0.05).