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Dana E. Dolsen , Human Dimensions Coordinator & Larry B. Dalton, AIS Coordinator

Dana E. Dolsen , Human Dimensions Coordinator & Larry B. Dalton, AIS Coordinator Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Pathways to Success Conference: Integrating Human Dimensions into Fisheries & Wildlife Management September 23- 27 th , 2012. DanaDolsen@Utah.gov 801 538-4790.

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Dana E. Dolsen , Human Dimensions Coordinator & Larry B. Dalton, AIS Coordinator

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  1. Dana E. Dolsen, Human Dimensions Coordinator & Larry B. Dalton, AIS Coordinator • Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Pathways to Success Conference: Integrating Human Dimensions into Fisheries & Wildlife Management September 23- 27th , 2012 DanaDolsen@Utah.gov 801 538-4790

  2. Aquatic Nuisance Species in Utah • In the spring of 2012, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) contacted 2,049 Utah 2011-registered boat owners by mail inviting response via the Internet or mail. • Forty percent (828 boaters) responded about their knowledge of and response to a set of awareness messages and outreach interventions initiated in 2010 in a concerted “Clean, Drain & Dry” campaign. • Outreach helps prevent Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) from being introduced and/or spread via water craft into Utah’s freshwater systems.

  3. Study Methodology & Facts The use of a partial mixed mode survey method with one reminder mailing meant that those sampled could choose their response mode, i.e., mail a questionnaire, or respond on-line. We urged using the Internet to save resources. Of 2,049 registered 2011 Utah boaters randomly contacted, 40.4% (828) replied; thrice as many by mail as by Internet. It’s important to secure mailing addresses in the sampling frame, rather than relying solely upon available e-mail addresses or voluntary web-page responses, possibly misrepresenting the target population.

  4. Representativeness of the Sample • A nonresponse bias test revealed that angling boaters were more likely to delay in returning their answers than were recreational boaters, (6% higher in the 2nd wave of responses after the second letter and replacement questionnaire was sent). • As no other differences were detected between those who replied initially and those who responded post 2nd reminder, it is concluded that little to no other differences exist.

  5. Utah’s Top Ten Most Visited Waters (Visitor Days)

  6. Average Visitor Days at Utah’s Top Six Visited Waters: General, Recreation, & Angling

  7. Behavioral Intention – Visits Anticipated based on Decontamination Method Seventy-seven percent of the responders said they would visit the water body about the same number of times if they were required to decontaminate their boat by self cleaning, draining, and drying. If there was a requirement to have the boat professionally decontaminated, 68% of the responders would visit the water body less frequently.

  8. Boater Knowledge of AIS affected Utah waters AIS Affected Utah Waters • Red Fleet •Sand Hollow •Electric Lake

  9. Degree of Message Delivery’s Behavioral Effectiveness Of the three bodies of water in which invasive mussels are currently found, Red Fleet Reservoir had lowest percentage of responders displaying a decontamination certification form for their boat at 75% (n=4).

  10. Boater Knowledge of Invasive Mussels Impacts Affecting Utah Waters &Users

  11. Management Implications - Successes Lake Powell (93%), East Canyon Reservoir (96%), Scolfield Reservoir (100%), Sand Hollow Reservoir (95%) and Rockport Reservoir (100%) had the highest percentages of responders (where sample size is greater than 10) who properly filled out and displayed a decontamination certification form for their boat.

  12. Decontamination Behaviors –Practiced or Not The most popular decontamination method used across all bodies of water was self clean, drain, and dry method (70%). Twenty-five percent did not decontaminate their boat.

  13. Management Implications – Work Needed The two bodies of water with the lowest percentage of responders (where sample size is greater than 10) that properly filled out and displayed a decontamination certification form on their boat were: Bear Lake (35%) and Starvation Reservoir (42%).

  14. Management Implications – Work Needed • The highest percentage of responders that • were NOT advised of the invasive mussel • threat prior to launching (where sample • size is greater than 10). • Strawberry Reservoir (30%), Starvation Reservoir (33%), Otter Creek Reservoir (31%)

  15. Management Implications – Work Needed • The highest percentage of responders that were NOT advised of any boat and equipment decontamination requirements prior to launching (where sample size is greater than 10): • Strawberry Reservoir - 42%, • Jordanelle Reservoir - 34%, • Utah Lake - 34%.

  16. Looking Forward The Utah AIS program is collecting boating season user survey data annually via an online invitation printed on the self-certification decontamination forms. The 2011 Utah Boater AIS Survey baseline data will be compared with the additional yearly data collected in order to derive insights for AIS outreach message design and potentially beneficial management actions.

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