Fish and Wildlife Public Opinion Survey Results Released
Shows Strong Support for NJ Fish and Wildlife Agency and State Environmental Protection
Initiatives
August 18, 2004
New Jersey residents continue to show support for state initiatives and policies
of the New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP) and its Division of Fish and Wildlife according
to a survey released by Responsive Management for the Northeast Conservation
Information and Education Association (NCIEA). The survey showed New Jerseyans
strongly support efforts to control sprawl from development, protect open space,
upgrade protection for high quality waterways, increase protection for endangered
and non-game species and protect and manage landscapes on a regional basis. The
survey also showed residents strongly support the professional management of the
state's fish and wildlife resources by the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife.
The study focused on the 13 member states of the NCIEA which includes Connecticut,
Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.
Polluted water / water quality, habitat loss, urban sprawl and bear and deer
management were perceived to be the most important natural resource issues facing
the state today. Respondents showed deference for fish and wildlife habitat over
human use of the land, and more respondents thought that the use and development
of land should be restricted to protect fish and wildlife (88% agreed) than should
be allowed for development. In fact, 84% disagreed that development for new home
sites should take precedence over preserving wildlife habitat and 80% disagreed
that landowners should be allowed to develop their land regardless of its impact
on wildlife.
New Jerseyans were also shown to be very outdoor oriented with half of all
respondents indicating they or someone from their household had gone out to observe
wildlife in New Jersey in the past year. Visiting a state or national park, wildlife
watching, bird watching, hiking, biking, fresh and saltwater fishing and hunting
all ranked high on the list of favorite outdoor activities. This significant involvement
in outdoor activities by residents again reinforces support for state policies
to provide more recreational opportunities for people, and to expand protected
open spaces through the state's Green
Acres Program and partnerships with Federal, County, Municipal and Non-Profit
agencies and organizations.
Public opinion and credibility of the state's fish and wildlife management
agency, in this case the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife (Division) was looked
at extensively. The survey found that while most people did not know which government
agency was most responsible for managing and protecting fish and wildlife in New
Jersey, more people had positive rather than negative perceptions about the Division.
Indeed, a majority of all respondents agreed that the staff at the Division of
Fish and Wildlife really cares about fish and wildlife, and substantial percentages
agreed that the Division effectively balances the interests of hunters, anglers,
conservation groups and the general public. Of those who had contacted the Division,
a large majority (83%) was satisfied with the contact. Most people (82%) also
thought the Division the most credible source of fish and wildlife information
in New Jersey. In comparison, respondents felt that the least credible sources
of information were spokespersons with advocacy organizations.
Other interesting findings obtained through this survey had to do with the
funding of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and public perception of hunting,
fishing and trapping. In an open ended question wherein respondents could name
any funding source, New Jersey residents most commonly thought that unspecified
taxes (42%), general state revenue (18%) and hunting and fishing licenses (17%)
were funding sources for the Division. In fact, while true, more disagreed (33%)
than agreed (16%) with the statement that: "fees from hunting and fishing licenses,
excises taxes on hunting and fishing equipment, and a portion of the existing
tax on motor boat fuel are the only sources of funds for the Division of Fish
and Wildlife." "It does not receive funding from general tax revenues". A much
greater percentage of respondents agreed (69%) than disagreed (15%) that the costs
for managing fish and wildlife should be paid through specific user fees such
as hunting and fishing licenses. A much greater percentage (73%) supported than
opposed (17%) using general state tax revenues to provide information on fish
and wildlife.
Regarding hunting, fishing and trapping, approval of fishing was the highest
at 87% followed by hunting at 66% and then trapping at 45%. While many New Jerseyan's
may not take part in these activities, the survey points out that most support
these activities.
For the survey, telephones were used as the preferred sampling method because
of the universality of phone ownership. Approximately 400 people in each state
were contacted with a total of 5,251 respondents surveyed. Throughout the report,
findings of this general population survey are reported at a 95% confidence interval.
For the entire sample of New Jersey residents, the sampling error is at most plus
or minus 4.90 percentage points. Survey result reports were compiled for each
individual state as well as a report on the results for the entire northeast region.
Surveys like this are an important gauge of how well agencies are meeting
their goals and working with their constituents, customers and the general public.
Information gathered from this survey will enable the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection and the Division of Fish and Wildlife to better manage
New Jersey's natural resources ensuring a healthy future for wildlife populations
in the state, and meeting the needs of New Jersey residents.