U.s. Department of Commerce

Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Management Strategies and Regulations of the Gray?s Reef National Marine Sanctuary by Users and Non-users of the Sanctuary: Version 2 U.s. Department of Commerce

This research is part of the Socioeconomic Research & Monitoring Program for the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. In 2010, a baseline study of users and non-users of Gray?s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS) was initiated. Mail surveys were designed in 2010 and implemented in 2011 and 2012. The study provides baseline data on the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of users and non-users of GRNMS in regard to management strategies and regulations. It also provides information on socioeconomic/demographic profiles, activity participation and use of coastal and ocean waters off the Georgia coast both inside and outside GRNMS. The surveys collected data on sources of public information on GRNMS used and the amount of trust in sources used, familiarity with GRNMS rules and regulations, and attitudes about selected management strategies for coastal and ocean resources both inside and outside GRNMS. For users of GRNMS, perceptions of resource conditions were also addressed.