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The Educational and Recreational Potential of Fish Hatcheries
Author(s) -
Autore David E.,
Shaw William W.,
Matter William J.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
fisheries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1548-8446
pISSN - 0363-2415
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8446(1987)012<0014:tearpo>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - recreation , visitor pattern , agency (philosophy) , wildlife , fish <actinopterygii> , population , fishery , recreational fishing , business , geography , environmental resource management , environmental planning , marketing , ecology , biology , environmental science , environmental health , sociology , computer science , social science , programming language , medicine
Communication with the public can be a very important part of a fish and wildlife management agency's overall strategy. However, the potential for education and environmental interpretation at fish culture stations is often overlooked. Large numbers of people visit fish hatcheries, thereby creating an opportunity to reach a large audience with minimal expenditure. To design an interpretive program for hatcheries, data are needed about the people who visit these facilities. This study was designed to collect basic demographic data and information about the knowledge and attitudes of visitors to three hatcheries run by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. From this information, it appears that hatcheries are a suitable location for education of the public. By cultivating the potential for educational and recreational opportunities at hatcheries, agencies might benefit from increased public support and understanding from a large and varied visitor population.