KAP/Reef valuation mail-back survey

OMB Approval #: 0648-xxxx
Expiration Date:
Knowledge, Attitudes, and
Perceptions

THANK YOU!
for
participating in this
Recreation Survey

Dear Visitor,

During your recent trip to the Florida Keys you indicated that you
would be willing to complete this questionnaire. It is self-explanatory and
should not take long to complete. Please record your answers accurately
and legibly. Your answers represent many other people not included in this
survey effort so it is very important that you return your questionnaire.

Your answers are voluntary and confidential. Your name will never
be released to anyone unless otherwise required by law. After the completion of the project all materials identifying you as an individual will be
destroyed.

When you complete the questionnaire, please reverse-fold it so that
our return address on the GREEN PAGE in the inside is folded to the outside. Please staple or tape to seal the questionnaire and mail it back to us.
No postage is needed. Your cooperation in this effort is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,

Please note: It is very important that the same person who participated in
the on-site interview also complete this questionnaire.

1
In 1990, Congress and the President established the Florida Keys
National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS). The FKNMS is just one of 13
National Marine Sanctuaries in the U.S, which are managed by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). After a
long public process and approval by the Governor and Cabinet of
Florida, regulations were established and implemented in July 1997.
The FKNMS is cooperatively managed with the State of Florida. This
survey asks about your knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of
FKNMS management strategies and regulations and conditions of
the resources in the FKNMS. There are no right or wrong answers;
we simply want your honest opinions. Again, your privacy will be
protected. No one will be given information that will allow them to
identify you from survey data.

2
INFORMATION AND PERCEPTIONS
In this section of the survey, we want to know about how you
get information about the FKNMS, which covers all the waters
surrounding the Florida Keys/Key West. A map is included on page
1 showing the boundaries of the FKNMS. We also ask questions
about the public process in creating the management strategies and
regulations and ask about your opinions about the existence of the
FKNMS and an appraisal of how well the area is being managed.

2. Did you do any activities through a Dive Shop on any of your visits
to the Florida Keys/KeyWest?

1. Please list the sources of information that you have received in the
past on the FKNMS and rank the sources in terms of their usefulness.
Place an “x” for each source used. Please rank each source
1=highest (most important) to 9=lowest (least important).

RANK
Sources

___ YES (Go to Question 3) ___ NO (Go to Question 6)

3. Did the Dive Shop staff, either in the Dive Shop or onboard the
boat, give you a briefing and/or education materials on how you
should behave on the reefs to avoid damaging the reefs?
___ YES (Go to Question 4) ___ NO (Go to Question 6)

4. Did you find the information useful?

___ YES (Go to Question 6) ___ NO (Go to Question 5)

SOURCE

Sources
Used

a.

FKNMS website

______

______

5. Please tell us why you didn’t find the information useful and what
kinds of information you would have liked to receive.

b.

FKNMS Staff

______

______

_______________________________________________________

c.

Sanctuary Advisory Council

______

______

_______________________________________________________

d.

FKNMS brochures/literature

______

______

_______________________________________________________

e.

FKNMS signage

______

______

_______________________________________________________

Was signage easy to see?

Yes No N/A

f.
Information in newspapers

______

______

g.

Radio

______

h.

TV

______

______

i.

Word of mouth

______

______

_______________________________________________________

______

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

3
6. Did you rent a boat or personal watercraft (Jet Ski, wave runner,
etc.) on any of your visits to the Florida Keys/Key West?

___ YES (Go to Question 7) ___ NO (Go to Question 10)

7. Did the boat rental operation provide you with a briefing and/or
education materials on how to navigate to how to behave while on the
reefs or information on special zones where you are not allowed to
motor the boat?

___ YES (Go to Question 8) ___ NO (Go to Question 10)

8. Did you find the information useful?

___ YES (Go to Question 10) __ NO (Go to Question 9)

9. Please tell us why you didn’t find the information useful and what
kinds of information you would have liked to receive.

For the next set of questions, please provide an answer on a 1 to 5
scale, where 1 means Strongly Agree, 2 means Moderately Agree,
3 means Neutral or Neither Agree or Disagree, 4 means Moderately
Disagree, and 5 means Strongly Disagree. Please circle the
appropriate number or I don’t know, if you simply have no knowledge
on the issue.
10. The process that NOAA has used to develop rules and regulations for the FKNMS was open and fair to all groups.

1

2

3

4

5

I don’t know

11. The process used by NOAA to develop boundaries and regulations for the FKNMS zones was open and fair to all groups.

1

2

3

4

5

I don’t know

_______________________________________________________

12. It has not mattered whether the average person participated in
the workshops and meetings on the FKNMS because the average
person could not influence the final decisions.

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

13. NOAA has not addressed the concerns of local and state governments in developing rules and regulations for the FKNMS.

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

5

5

I don’t know

I don’t know

_______________________________________________________

14. NOAA has not addressed the concerns of individual citizens in
developing rules and regulations for the FKNMS.

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

1

2

3

4

5

I don’t know

4
15. Once that the regulations have been in effect, there has been
no way that the average person could voice his/her opinion on the
usefulness of the regulations.

For the next set of questions, we want to find out how important the
FKNMS is in your decision to choose the Florida Keys/Key West as a
destination when you are planning your trips.

21. Did you know before your recent visit to the Florida Keys/Key
West that all the waters surrounding the Florida Keys/Key West are in
a National Marine Sanctuary?

___ Yes ___ No

1

2

3

4

5

I don’t know

16. The procedures that NOAA has established to deal with violations
of FKNMS regulations have been fair and just.

1

2

3

4

5

I don’t know

17. NOAA has made a positive contribution to the marine
environment via the National Marine Sanctuary Program.

22. Do you think having all the waters surrounding the Florida Keys/
Key West in a National Marine Sanctuary makes the area a more
attractive destination?

1

2

3

4

5

I don’t know

18. The Florida Keys have benefited environmentally from the
FKNMS.

1

2

3

4

5

I don’t know

19. There has been a net economic benefit to the Florida Keys from
the establishment of the FKNMS.

1

2

3

4

5

I don’t know

___ Yes ___ No

On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1=Not Important, 2=Somewhat Important,
3=Important, 4=Very Important and 5=Extremely Important.
23. In your decision to visit the Florida Keys/Key West, how important
was the fact that all the waters surrounding the Florida Keys/Key West
was in a National Marine Sanctuary?

Please circle the appropriate number or “dk” for don’t know.

20. I generally support the establishment of the FKNMS.

24. When you were planning your recent trip to the Florida Keys/Key
West, did you know that there were special zones where certain
activities are restricted or not allowed?

1

2

3

4

5

I don’t know

1

2

3

4

___ Yes ___ No

5

dk

5
There are five kinds of zones established within the FKNMS, and
three of these zone types analyzed for this study are collectively
referred to as ‘FKNMS zones’ in the survey. Zones allow different
uses and are generally established for different purposes. Below, a
short, general description for each of the three zone types is provided.
Sanctuary Preservation Areas, or SPAs, encompass discrete,
biologically important areas and are designed to reduce user conflicts
and sustain critical marine species and habitats. Regulations for SPAs
are designed to limit consumptive activities while continuing to allow
activities that do not threaten resource protection. There are 18 SPAs
in the FKNMS, which limit consumptive activities (activities where you
take something) and 4 that are set aside for research only.
Ecological Reserves, or ERs, encompass large, contiguous, diverse
habitats, in order to protect and enhance natural spawning, nursery,
and permanent-residence areas for the replenishment and genetic
protection of fish and other marine life. Regulations for Ecological
Reserves are designed to meet the objectives of these zones by
limiting consumptive activities while continuing to allow activities that
do not threaten resource protection. Ecological Reserves therefore
restrict all consumptive activities and allow non-consumptive activities
only where such activities are compatible with resource protection.
There are currently two Ecological Reserves in the Sanctuary, the
Western Sambos Ecological Reserve and the Tortugas Ecological
Reserve.
Wildlife Management Areas, or WMAs, include bird nesting, resting,
or feeding areas, turtle-nesting beaches, and other sensitive habitats.
Regulations are designed to protect these species or the habitat while
providing for public use. Access restrictions will include no-access
buffers, no-motor zones, idle-speed only/no-wake zones, and closed
zones. Some restrictions will apply to time periods, others to areas.
There are currently 27 WMAs, of which 7 are managed exclusively by
the FKNMS (the FKNMS co-manages the others with the US Fish and
Wildlife Service).

6
The next set of questions asks about your opinions on the three
types of zones. Please answer each question for each type of zone.
Answer by placing an “x” in the box under each type of zone. Leaving
a box blank means you don’t think the statement applies to that type
of zone.

ER
SPA WMA
25. Which of the following represents
the main purpose of the FKNMS zones?

a. Increasing overall fish stocks and
biomass within the zones
___ ___ ___
b. Increasing overall fish stocks and
biomass outside the zones

For questions 30 through 33, please refer to the map on page 5 of the
FKNMS.

30. I support the establishment of
FKNMS zones in the Upper Keys.

ER

SPA

WMA

___

___

___

31. I support the establishment of
FKNMS zones in the Middle Keys.

___

___

___

32. I support the establishment of
FKNMS zones in the Lower Keys.

___

___

___

___

___

___

c. Conserving and protecting corals,
fish, and other marine life inside the zones ___

33. I support the establishment of
FKNMS zones in the Dry Tortugas.

___

___

___

___

___

d. Resolving user conflicts

___

___

___

34. There should be more FKNMS
zones in the Florida Keys.

___

___

___

e. Supporting scientific research

___

___

___

35. Do you use any of the FKNMS zones?

__ YES (Go to Question 36) _ NO (Go Question 39)

26. Which groups have most benefited
from FKNMS zones?
a. Commercial fishers

b. Recreational/sport fishers

c. Commercial dive operators
d. Recreational (local and tourist) divers

___
___
___
___

___
___
___
___

___
___
___
___

36. Which ones do you use?

27. FKNMS zones have reduced conflicts
between different user groups

___

___

___

_______________________________________________________

28. FKNMS zones have been effective
in restoring coral reefs in the Florida Keys
to what they used to be.

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________
___

29. I support the establishment of FKNMS
zones as they are currently established. ___

___
___

___
___

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

7
37. Since the FKNMS zones were established has your use:

INCREASED ___% SAME
DECREASED ___%
Please circle answer and fill in estimate of percentage of how your
use increased or decreased.

The final set of questions ask about how effective you think the
FKNMS has been in managing the natural resources in the surrounding waters of the Florida Keys/Key West.
39. Please rate the status/condition of the following resources by their
status/condition since implementation of the FKNMS, where 1 equals
Much Better and 5 is Much Worse and “dk” is don’t know.
Please circle your answer.

38. For the each of the different types of FKNMS zones that you use,
could you rate how the zones have changed for each of the following
items: Please rate them on a scale of 1 to 5
with 1 being Better to 5 being Worse. Leaving a space blank means
you didn’t use that type of zone.
Better--------------Worse
1 2
3
4
5

Better-------------Worse

a. Water quality

1

2

3

4

5

dk

b. Land-based
pollution/sewage

1

2

3

4

5

dk

c. Sea-based
pollution/marine debris

1

2

3

4

5

dk

d. Coral reefs

1

2

3

4

5

dk

a. Water quality

ER
___

SPA
___

WMA
___

e. Sea grasses

1

2

3

4

5

dk

b. Number of fish

___

___

___

f. Fisheries

1

2

3

4

5

dk

c. Types of fish

___

___

___

g. Mooring buoys

1

2

3

4

5

dk

d. Amount of living coral

___

___

___

e. Other marine life

___

___

___

f. Crowding

___

___

___

For the following statement (Question 40), please circle your answer
according to the following scale:
1=Strongly Agree, 2=Moderately Agree, 3=Neutral (neither agree or
disagree), 4=Moderately Disagree, 5=Strongly Disagree
40. The FKNMS is mostly responsible for the status/condition of the
resources that you rated in the previous question.

1

2

3

4

5

dk

8
41. In which area(s) has the FKNMS been a success?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

43. Are there any management strategies or regulations which you
would like to see changed in the FKNMS?
Please briefly describe the top three management strategies or
regulations you would like to see changed and how you would like to
see them changed.

_______________________________________________________

Management Strategy or Regulation

How I would like to see it
changed.

_______________________________________________________

a. ___________________________

____________________

_______________________________________________________

___________________________

____________________

_______________________________________________________

____________________

____________________

b. ___________________________

____________________

___________________________

____________________

____________________

____________________

_______________________________________________________

c. ___________________________

____________________

_______________________________________________________

___________________________

____________________

_______________________________________________________

____________________

____________________

42. In which area(s) has the FKNMS been least successful?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

OMB Approval #: 0648-xxxx
Expiration Date:

That’s All!! If you would like to be entered into a sweepstakes to win a free
Vacation to the Florida Keys, fill out your name, address and phone number
below. All prizes will be awarded in October of 2007.
Name:
Address:
City:
State:

Zip:

Phone:

Prizes to be awarded are:

GRAND Prize
* Airfare for two from anywhere in the continental United States to the Florida Keys
* Rental car with unlimited miles for one week (seven days)
* Accommodations for two for one week (six nights)
* Two complimentary “activities” for two (i.e., diving trip, fishing charter, sunset sail,
etc.)
* Complimentary dinner for two at local restaurant

FIRST Prize
* Accommodations for two for five days (four nights)
* Two complimentary “activities” for two (i.e., diving trip, fishing charter, sunset sail,
etc.)
* Complimentary dinner for two at local restaurant

SECOND Prize
* Accommodations for two for four days (three nights)
* One complimentary “activity” for two (i.e., diving trip, fishing charter, sunset sail,
etc.)
* Complimentary dinner for two at local restaurant

SECOND Prize
* Accommodations for two for three days (two nights)
* One complimentary “activity” for two (i.e., diving trip, fishing charter, sunset sail,
etc.)

This is a cooperative research project of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Public reporting burden for this collection of information
is estimated to average 20 minutes including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources,
gathering and maintaining the data need, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send
comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden, to U.S. Department of Commerce, Clearance Officer, Office of Chief
Information Officer, Rm. 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230. Notwithstanding
any other provisions of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to penalty
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act,
unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.