Attitudes towards the Marine Environment and Implications for Marine Resource Management in Seward, Alaska

Authors

Meredith Ann Marchioni, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

First Advisor's Name

Liliana Goldin

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Dennis Wiedman

Third Advisor's Name

Juliet Erazo

Fourth Advisor's Name

Roderick Neumann

Keywords

theory of reasoned action, fisheries anthropology, marine resource management, environmental anthropology

Date of Defense

2-27-2009

Abstract

This research, conducted in 2006-2008, examines the ways in which various groups involved with the marine resources of Seward, Alaska construct attitudes towards the environment. Participant observation and semi-structured interviews are used to assess how commercial halibut fishers, tour boat operators, local residents and government officials understand the marine environment based on their previous experiences. This study also explores how ideologies relate to the current practices of each group. Two theories orient the analyses: The first, cultural modeling provided a theoretical and methodological framework for pursuing a more comprehensive analysis of resource management. The second, Theory of Reasoned Action (Ajzen and Fishbein 1980), guided the analysis of the ways in which each participant’s ideology towards the marine environment relates to their practice. Aside from contributing to a better understanding of a coastal community’s ideologies and practices, this dissertation sought to better understand the role of ecological ideologies and behaviors in fisheries management. The research illustrates certain domains where ideologies and practices concerning Pacific halibut and the marine environment differ among commercial fishers, government, and management officials, tour boat operators and residents of Seward, AK. These differences offer insights into how future collaborative efforts between government officials, managers and local marine resource users might better incorporate local ideology into management, and provide ecological information to local marine resource users in culturally appropriate ways.

Identifier

FI10022532

Recommended Citation

Marchioni, Meredith Ann, "Attitudes towards the Marine Environment and Implications for Marine Resource Management in Seward, Alaska" (2009). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 192.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/192