Great Lakes Anglers' and Bait Dealers' Influence on the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species and Fish Pathogens

The spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) and fish pathogens are an ongoing challenge in the Great Lakes region.  Anglers and bait dealers are two audiences who play pivotal roles in preventing or contributing to the spread of these organisms.  We surveyed both groups by mail in fall 2013 to assess their awareness of and behavioral response to regulations and recommendations made by state, federal, and non-governmental organizations.  We found differences within audiences in the level of awareness, knowledge, concern about the spread, and behavioral response based on state or province of residence.  We present results for each audience and offer possible explanations for differences within audiences.  We make recommendations for improving region-wide outreach efforts to reduce the spread of AIS and fish pathogens via anglers and bait dealers.