Setting Management Goals Research Articles

Climate-Smart Invasive Species Management for 21st Century Global Change Challenges.

Addressing the global challenges of climate change and biotic invasions requires understanding their interactions and implications for natural resource management. To facilitate and support invasive species management in a changing climate, we review how climate change and invasions interact to impact the planning, action, and outcomes of invasive species management. Climate change is facilitating the introduction of new potential invasive species and altering pathways of introduction and spread, with implications for which species natural resource managers need to assess, monitor, and target. Climate-driven shifts in invasive species phenology require more flexible management timelines. Climate change may reduce the efficacy and feasibility of current treatment methods and make native ecosystems more vulnerable to invasion. Additionally, disturbance caused by extreme climate events can compound the spread and impacts of biological invasions, making invasive species management a necessary part of extreme event preparation and response planning. As a solution to these challenges, we propose climate-smart invasive species management, which we define as the approaches that managers and decision-makers can take to address the interactive effects of climate change and invasions. Climate-smart invasive species management includes considering potential shifts in species ranges, abundances, and impacts to inform monitoring, treatment, and policies to prevent new invasive species. Climate-smart management may also involve adjusting the timing and type of treatment to maintain efficacy, promoting resilient ecosystems through climate-smart restoration, and considering the effects of climate change when setting management goals. Explicitly considering the interactions of climate change and biological invasions within organizational decision-making and policy can lead to more effective management and promote more resilient landscapes.

Genetic protocols for DNA extraction from white-tailed deer cast antlers to confirm individuality

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are the most sought-after deer species in America. The antlers of mammals, such as deer, are one of the fastest regenerative tissues in the world and are grown and naturally cast every year. Research on cast antlers have been used for a variety of purposes including population comparisons and impacts of deer health due to climatic stressors. When investigating cast antlers, it is important to confirm individuality of match sets in addition to antlers of the same individual between years. Therefore, individuality must be confirmed genetically, and protocols must be developed and established to do so. Our objectives were to 1) establish a genetic protocol to harvest DNA from cast antlers using connective tissue, and 2) determine individuality from subsequent years and match sets. When fresh antlers are cast, they leave behind a viable connective tissue from which DNA can be extracted. The DNA was successfully extracted from the skin rings harvested from naturally cast antlers. This study developed viable methods to confirm individuality, which aid researchers and wildlife biologists in a better understanding of the white-tailed deer herd as they set management goals and harvest regulations.

Characteristics of Small-Scale Coastal Fisheries in China and Suggested Improvements in Management Strategies: A Case Study From Shengsi County in Zhejiang Province

Small-scale fisheries (SSFs) in China have made incalculable contributions to the supply of aquatic products, employment, and social stability. Despite their importance, aspects such as the complexity, dynamicity, and vulnerability of SSFs are yet to receive sufficient attention either from the Chinese government or from society. Here we help to address the lack of recognition of SSFs by examining their characteristics and possible management solutions. We selected Shengsi County, a community with traditional fishing activities, in Zhejiang Province as a case study to review and examine the SSFs’ characteristics and policies. We aimed to explore the improvement strategies for Chinese SSF management by using data from the open-access government databases, a series of questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews, and a collection of national and local SSF-related legislative and policy documents. Here we summarized the physical characteristics of the small-scale fishing vessels and the socioeconomic aspects of SSFs in Shengsi County. Our findings indicate that unprecedented new institutional arrangements for SSFs have been developed in recent years at the national level, and some relevant policies of SSFs also exist at the local level. However, there are still gaps: The concept of SSFs and the goal of their management have not been developed either at the national or local levels; monitoring systems have not yet been established for collecting SSF-related data; fishers engaged in SSFs are still not well organized; cooperation and coordination between different government departments with management authority over SSFs are insufficient; the local government’s response to the central government’s initiatives was slow. Our findings show that the Chinese government could improve SSF management by adopting on an ongoing basis the following suggestions: (1) better define SSFs and set management goals according to their characteristics; (2) develop a monitoring system for SSFs’ data and information collection and promote multidisciplinary research on SSFs; (3) establish SSFs’ cooperatives as soon as possible; and (4) develop coordination and cooperation mechanisms among government departments. This research can provide a reference for the Chinese government to understand SSFs better and contribute to the implementation and improvement of SSFs’ differentiated management in China.

Advancing approaches for understanding the nature-people link

Acknowledging complexity within relationships between fundamental ecology and societal research is critical in improving our current understanding of how natural ecosystems work and how they could be managed to achieve set management goals. Specifically, this challenge is linked to the multifunctional nature of ecosystems. We develop the Bayesian Belief Multifunctionality Framework to studying nature-people links that allows a holistic and transparent analysis of the relationships between species, their functional traits, multiple ecosystem functions and multiple nature's contributions to people (NCPs). We assess seven ecosystem functions common in marine soft-sediments (secondary production, metal sequestration, denitrification, N-release, sediment stability, primary production and sediment formation) and nine NCPs (food and feed, supporting services, climate regulation, regulation of coastal water quality, physical and psychological experience, habitat creation, learning, materials and erosion control). We use a case study based on an extensive and diverse intertidal sandflat macrofaunal community within Kaipara Harbour, New Zealand. By testing different scenarios in which we identify the set of traits responsible for the highest function performance for every function, we show that functional redundancy (i.e., the presence of multiple species that deliver the maximum performance for a specific function) was high for some functions but low for others. In our model, functional redundancy was the lowest for denitrification and secondary production, while primary production exhibited high functional redundancy. The network analysis also allowed us to gain insight into functional synergies and trade-offs, resulting from maximising individual function to a trait set. The trait set that maximised secondary production contributes to higher sediment stability; the trait set that maximised metal sequestration contributes to higher N-release; and the trait set that maximised denitrification contributes to high rates of metal sequestration and N-release. Negative effects were also apparent, e.g., the trait set that maximised metal sequestration resulted in a lower probability in sediment stability and secondary production. Finally, the scenario testing feature of the framework allowed for exploration of the changes in NCPs from changes in macrofauna density. High density of species with a trait set identified as important to individual functions generated an increase in the provision of the majority of considered NCPs. Thanks to its clear and transparent result presentation and flexible analysis, the BN Multifunctionality Framework can deliver insightful messages into multifunctionality links helping to reveal the multifunctional nature of diverse and complex natural ecosystems.

Application of remote sensing technology to estimate productivity and assess phylogenetic heritability.

PREMISEMeasuring plant productivity is critical to understanding complex community interactions. Many traditional methods for estimating productivity, such as direct measurements of biomass and cover, are resource intensive, and remote sensing techniques are emerging as viable alternatives.METHODSWe explore drone‐based remote sensing tools to estimate productivity in a tallgrass prairie restoration experiment and evaluate their ability to predict direct measures of productivity. We apply these various productivity measures to trace the evolution of plant productivity and the traits underlying it.RESULTSThe correlation between remote sensing data and direct measurements of productivity varies depending on vegetation diversity, but the volume of vegetation estimated from drone‐based photogrammetry is among the best predictors of biomass and cover regardless of community composition. The commonly used normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is a less accurate predictor of biomass and cover than other equally accessible vegetation indices. We found that the traits most strongly correlated with productivity have lower phylogenetic signal, reflecting the fact that high productivity is convergent across the phylogeny of prairie species. This history of trait convergence connects phylogenetic diversity to plant community assembly and succession.DISCUSSIONOur study demonstrates (1) the importance of considering phylogenetic diversity when setting management goals in a threatened North American grassland ecosystem and (2) the utility of remote sensing as a complement to ground measurements of grassland productivity for both applied and fundamental questions.

“I will look for you, I will find you, and I will [harvest] you”: Persistent hyperstability in Wisconsin’s recreational fishery

Shifting temporal or non-linear relationships between angler behavior and fish population characteristics can mask population declines or produce unexpected regulation outcomes. We tested for hyperstability in seasonal and interannual trends in angler effort, catch, and harvest rates in bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) across hundreds of Wisconsin, USA, lakes from 1990 to 2019. Higher centrarchid angling rates in summer than fall or winter and increases in winter effort suggest some policies, like seasonal restrictions, may be more effective in limiting exploitation. Hyperstability was substantial across all species and metrics and did not vary seasonally, but bluegill and yellow perch harvest rates became slightly less hyperstable over time. Our findings suggest anglers may not self-regulate or respond to management unless changes in populations or policies are conspicuous. These patterns demonstrate how angler experiences respond to policy or fish population change, and caution against reliance on fisheries-dependent data to set management goals.

Past forward: Recommendations from historical ecology for ecosystem management

In the context of accelerating environmental change, there is an urgent need to identify ecosystem conservation, restoration, and management strategies likely to support biodiverse and adaptive ecosystems into the future. The field of historical ecology has generated a substantial body of recommendations for ecosystem management, yet these insights have never been synthesized. We reviewed >200 historical ecology studies and analyzed recommendations for ecosystem management emerging from the field. The majority of studies (∼90%) derived from North American and Europe, with forests being the focus of nearly half (48%) of all papers. Papers emphasized the need to protect and restore both habitat remnants and modified ecosystems in management, the value of ecosystems as cultural landscapes, and the importance of adopting a landscape-scale perspective for ecosystem management. Nearly one-quarter contained a recommendation that challenged status quo management, underscoring the value of a historical perspective in setting management goals, strategies, and targets. Fewer than 12% of papers contained recommendations that explicitly addressed ongoing or projected climate change, suggesting opportunities to integrate findings from historical ecology with other perspectives to create forward-looking management strategies that are rooted in place and past.

Mediterranean dirty edge: High level of meso and macroplastics pollution on the Turkish coast

It has become apparent that the coastal zones of aquatic environments are significantly affected by plastics pollution. The accumulation of marine plastic litter on beaches is an important problem due to their significant environmental impacts. In this study, 13 coastal areas in Iskenderun Bay (NE Levantine coast of Turkey) were sampled in May 2018 to investigate meso and macroplastic (0.5–123.4 cm) pollution. A total of 1424 meso and macroplastic items in five categories (filament, film, foam, fragments, and pellets) were collected. The average meso and macroplastic concentration was 12.2 ± 3.5 pcs m−2 (12.3 ± 3.5 g m−2) and the mean size for all stations was 3.7 ± 0.16 cm. The highest meso and macroplastic concentration was found in the Dörtyol location (46.2 ± 7.6 pcs m−2) and the lowest concentration was found in the Y. Lagün location (2.3 ± 0.2 pcs m−2). Plastics were separated into 14 different groups based on their origins. The most dominant type was hard plastics (broken, fragmented, and deformed) with 59.8% and greenhouse coverage films with 11%. Our results shows that regardless their source plastics fluxes at beaches from various pathways. Results of this study provide useful information for designing monitoring strategies and setting management goals.

The Sharing of Patients’ Individual Clinical Test Results and Vital Signs for Setting Management Goals of Care Plans

The Sharing of Patients’ Individual Clinical Test Results and Vital Signs for Setting Management Goals of Care Plans

Patterns and drivers of spatio-temporal variability of suspended sediment in the Waikato lakes, New Zealand

ABSTRACTQuantifying and interpreting variability in ecological systems allows us to better understand the driving forces that determine ecosystems functioning. We utilised earth observation-based remote sensing to determine total suspended sediment (TSS) concentrations for 109 lakes over 16 years. The coefficient of variation (CV) was used to quantify variability of TSS at three temporal scales (monthly, annual and long-term) and at the horizontal spatial scale. CV values varied between 0.14 and 1.09. Drivers of observed variability patterns were explored using five lake morphological and catchment characteristics. Lake area was the most important variable to predict variability of TSS. De-vegetated lakes displayed significantly higher TSS concentrations than vegetated lakes; however, aquatic vegetation was found to moderate only spatial variability of TSS. As spatio-temporal variability can be assumed to drive key ecosystem functions, determining characteristic variability patterns for various attributes should be a prerequisite when setting management goals and developing monitoring regimes.

Performance evaluation through DEA benchmarking adjusted to goals

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is extended to the evaluation of performance of organizations within the framework of the implementation of plans for improvements that set management goals. Managers usually set goals without having any evidence that they will be achievable at the moment of conducting performance evaluation or, on the contrary, they may set little too unambitious goals. Using DEA for the benchmarking ensures an evaluation in terms of targets that both are attainable and represent best practices. In addition, the approach we propose adjusts the DEA benchmarking to the goals in order to consider the policy of improvements that was pursued with the setting of such goals. From the methodological point of view, the models that minimize the distance to the DEA strong efficient frontier are extended to incorporate goal information. Specifically, the models developed seek DEA targets that are as close as possible to both actual performances and management goals. To illustrate, we examine an example that is concerned with the evaluation of performance of public Spanish universities.

An odds-ratio approach for handling proportional and bounded values in data envelopment analysis

The usual assumption in data envelopment analysis (DEA) that all input and output values are unconstrained positive values is not always satisfied, such as when analysing proportions, rates, and percentages bound between 0 and 1 (e.g., defect, graduation, satisfaction, or mortality rates). In such cases, solving standard constant returns-to-scale (CRS) DEA models can produce output target values that exceed their upper bounds (e.g., 130% survival or 210% market penetration). Data constrained on other intervals (e.g., patient satisfaction scores between 1 and 5) present a related problem, where a computed target theoretically can exceed its upper bound. We introduce an odds-ratio transformation for such cases that always produces targets within their given bounds and explore its impact on analysis results (efficiency scores, targets, weights), offering the modeller an alternative for evaluating relative efficiency and setting management goals when variable returns-to-scale (VRS) relationships are not appropriate.

Optimising invasive fish management in the context of invasive species legislation in South Africa

Background: South Africa hosts a large number of non-native freshwater fishes that were introduced for various industries. Many of these species are now listed under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEM:BA) Alien and Invasive Species (AIS) lists and regulations, though the practical options available to conservation agencies to effectively manage these fishes vary greatly among species and regions. Objectives methods: We assessed the history and status of national legislation pertaining to invasive freshwater fishes, and the practical implications of the legislation for managing different species with contrasting distributions, impacts and utilisation value. Results: The smallmouth bass, despite being a potential conflict-generating species, is fairly straightforward to manage based on current legislation. Two species of trout, which remain absent from the NEM:BA AIS lists because of ongoing consultation with stakeholders, continue to be managed in regions like the Western Cape province using existing provincial legislation. To maximise the limited capacity for management within conservation agencies, we proposed a decision-support tool that prioritises invasive fish populations that represent high environmental risk and low potential for conflict with stakeholders. Using three case studies, we demonstrated how the tool can be used to set management goals of ‘eradicate’, ‘manage against impacts and further spread’ and ‘continue to monitor population’ as the most pragmatic solutions given the state of an invasion, its socio-economic impact and the capacity of the responsible agency to act. Conclusion: By choosing a pragmatic management strategy, conservation agencies can maximise the effective deployment of limited resources, while minimising avoidable conflicts with stakeholders.

Muddling management: heterogeneity of blue catfish anglers

ABSTRACTHyman AA, DiCenzo VJ, Murphy BR. 2017. Muddling management: heterogeneity of blue catfish anglers. Lake Reserve Manage. 33:23–31.A world-record blue catfish was caught from Kerr Reservoir in 2011; since then, the state has experienced an influx of tournaments and trophy anglers. As a result, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) has sought a holistic management approach for the blue catfish fishery. In a pilot study, we surveyed 61 catfish anglers on Kerr Reservoir, which spans the Virginia–North Carolina state line, to examine their angling habits, harvest behavior, and management preferences. Using hierarchical cluster analysis, we identified 4 distinct angler groups that, on a broad scale, parallel other specialization studies: Tournament Specialists, Consumptive Specialists, Avid Generalists, and Occasional Anglers. Results from this study depict a dualistic angler population, with many anglers seeking trophy catfish while others wish to harvest many catfish. The most-specialized anglers had a tendency to support stricter harvest limits and setline regulations, whereas the least-specialized opposed stricter regulations. With such polarized attitudes, we suggest that VDGIF and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission work with anglers to avoid disputes regarding gear and harvest regulations in the future. Specifically, we suggest state agencies test the use of spatial regulation of setlines (i.e., the agencies limit setline use in portions of the reservoir). Results from this research could help fisheries managers regulate trophy fisheries by understanding their anglers and in turn help to set management goals and objectives that best meet the desires of their stakeholders.

From sequential to integrated Bayesian analyses: Exploring the continuum with a Pacific salmon spawner-recruit model

Stock assessment scientists are faced with decisions regarding how to incorporate fishery information into models. One primary decision revolves around how estimates that are summaries of raw data should be treated (e.g., abundance estimates derived from relative indices). The choice in this case is to either use estimates from a sequence of models as data in a final model (i.e., the model used for setting management goals) or to integrate the raw data into a more complex final model. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages that constitute a suite of trade-offs. These trade-offs are investigated here by comparing two sequential analyses (one that ignores measurement error and one that incorporates it) to an integrated analysis for a stock assessment of Pacific salmon using simulation-estimation, and the Kuskokwim River Chinook salmon stock of western Alaska as a case study. The major difference between approaches was that an abundance reconstruction was estimated separately from the spawner-recruit analysis in the sequential approaches, whereas the integrated approach did so in a single model. Primary findings showed that approaches that addressed the measurement error in the raw data returned very similar estimates of abundance, population dynamics parameters, and management reference points, both in terms of point estimates and uncertainty. When measurement error was ignored, similar point estimates were returned. However, this approach underestimated uncertainty in the spawner-recruit analysis but resulted in more uncertainty in the abundance reconstruction. These findings were consistent for both the Kuskokwim River case study and simulation-estimation analyses. The primary advantage of the integrated analysis was the added realism of sharing calendar year abundance data among brood years, but came at the cost of slow model run times. This exercise showed that while there is a trade-off between sequential and integrated analyses in terms of model complexity and realism, the benefits may not be large enough to warrant an integrated analysis in all cases, given that the terminal model carries forward uncertainty in the input estimates.

낙동강수계 3단계 광역시·도 경계지점 목표수질 설정을 위한 관리권역 및 관리목표 설정 방법 연구

The current Total Pollution Load Control (TPLC) sets the Target Water Quality (TWQ) by utilizing the delivery ratio, unit loads, and water quality modeling, it also allocates the watershed's permitted discharge load. Currently, common target pollutants of every unit watershed in TPLC are BOD and T-P. This study has reviewed the 1th and 2th of TWQ setting process for the Nakdong River 3th TWQ setting in Total Pollution Load Control (TPLC). As a result of review, 1th and 2th were divided into one management basin (mulgeum) for setting management goals. However, 3th was divided into six management basins (mulgeum, gnagjeong, geumho river, nam river, miryang river, end of nakdong river). The principle of management goal setting were to achieve the objective criteria of Medium Areas for the linkage of the water environment management policy. And Anti-Degredation (principle of preventing deterioration) were applied to the 3th TWQ. Also, additional indicators were considered in accordance with the reduction scenarios for the final management goals.

Low Health Literacy Predicts Misperceptions of Diabetes Control in Patients With Persistently Elevated A1C.

The purpose of this study is to identify factors associated with perceived control of diabetes in a group of poorly controlled patients. Identifying factors associated with perceived control in these patients is an important step in improving actual control as measured by A1C. As health literacy is essential for understanding complex medical information, we hypothesized that low health literacy would be associated with inaccurate perceptions of diabetes control. A cross-sectional analysis was performed on 280 adults with type 2 diabetes whose last 2 A1C measurements were >8.0%. Participants were recruited primarily from 6 University of Pennsylvania primary care practices. Perceived control and factors potentially associated with this outcome, including health literacy, were assessed during an in-person interview. Health literacy was measured using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy. Thirty-nine percent of patients responded that they were managing to control their diabetes well or very well. However, 57% of those at the seventh to eighth-grade health literacy level and 61% of those at the level of sixth grade and below reported that they were controlling their diabetes well or very well. In this population of patients with poorly controlled diabetes, a majority of those with low health literacy believed that they were controlling their disease well or very well. Patients who believe that they are already controlling their diabetes well may be less likely to make changes to improve control. Health care providers and educators should consider health literacy when discussing control of diabetes and when setting management goals with patients.

Species, habitats, society: an evaluation of research supporting EU's Natura 2000 network.

The Natura 2000 network is regarded as one of the conservation success stories in the global effort to protect biodiversity. However, significant challenges remain in Natura 2000 implementation, owing to its rapid expansion, and lack of a coherent vision for its future. Scientific research is critical for identifying conservation priorities, setting management goals, and reconciling biodiversity protection and society in the complex political European landscape. Thus, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive evaluation of published Natura 2000 research to highlight prevalent research themes, disciplinary approaches, and spatial entities. We conducted a systematic review of 572 scientific articles and conference proceedings focused on Natura 2000 research, published between 1996 and 2014. We grouped these articles into ‘ecological’ and ‘social and policy’ categories. Using a novel application of network analysis of article keywords, we found that Natura 2000 research forms a cohesive small-world network, owing to the emphasis on ecological research (79% of studies, with a strong focus on spatial conservation planning), and the underrepresentation of studies addressing ‘social and policy’ issues (typically focused on environmental impact assessment, multi-level governance, agri-environment policy, and ecosystem services valuation). ‘Ecological’ and ‘social and policy’ research shared only general concepts (e.g., Natura 2000, Habitats Directive) suggesting a disconnection between these disciplines. The UK and the Mediterranean basin countries dominated Natura 2000 research, and there was a weak correlation between number of studies and proportion of national territory protected. Approximately 40% of ‘social and policy’ research and 26% of ‘ecological’ studies highlighted negative implications of Natura 2000, while 21% of studies found positive social and biodiversity effects. We emphasize the need for designing inter- and transdisciplinary research in order to promote a social-ecological understanding of Natura 2000, and advance EU conservation policies.

Effects of hurricane disturbance and feral goat herbivory on the structure of a Caribbean dry forest

AbstractQuestionHurricanes are a major factor influencing forest structure and have been linked to higher incidences of multiple‐stemmed trees in Caribbean dry forests relative to the continent. In Sept 1998, category 3 Hurricane Georges passed over Mona Island. This island, unlike others in the Caribbean, has had feral goats for five centuries. In this study we addressed the following questions: (i) what are the short‐term (4 mo) and long‐term (10 yr) responses of Mona Island's dry forests to hurricane disturbance in terms of forest structure and tree mortality; and (ii) is there any effect of goat exclusion on the recovery process and forest structure after the hurricane?LocationDry forest of Mona Island, Puerto Rico.MethodsPermanent fenced and unfenced plots established in 1997 and monitored annually until 2008 were used to evaluate the interplay between goat herbivory and hurricane effects on structural dynamics of the tree community. Within these plots, vegetation data collected include species identity, DBH, successional status and hurricane‐related tree mortality.ResultsWe found that vegetation responses to hurricane disturbances may have been influenced by the presence of feral goats through at least two mechanisms. First, goats may have led to changes in forest structure and composition that feed back into the recovery dynamics that follow hurricane events. Second, goat herbivory limits the production of multiple stems, a trait that could be an adaptive response in hurricane‐prone areas. Feral goats may lead to alternate successional pathways by keeping this dry forest at early‐successional stages much longer than expected, and shifting vegetation communities to an alternate state where smaller, shrubbier and perhaps less palatable species dominate.ConclusionsDifferences in structure between Mona Island's dry forest and other tropical dry forests are related to changes in species composition that may have been triggered by introduced goats. Our results highlight the potential complexities that may arise when setting management goals within the context of novel ecosystems. Ultimately, implementation of management goals requires knowing what changes are linked to the ecological integrity of the ecosystem and what cultural values are placed on the current state of the tree community vs its historical condition.

Effects of Catfish Angler Catch‐Related Attitudes on Fishing Trip Preferences

AbstractTo assist the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in developing a statewide catfish management plan, we surveyed 1,078 freshwater catfish anglers to examine their catch‐related attitudes and trip preferences by using a stated choice experiment. Respondents were presented with a series of paired hypothetical fishing trip scenarios for catfish and were asked to choose the trips that they most preferred. Trip scenarios varied by the relative number of catfish that were caught and harvested, relative size of catfish that were caught, water body type, level of site development, and distance traveled (i.e., representing travel costs). A conditional logit model was fitted to analyze angler preferences by determining the influence of trip attributes on angler choice. Model results indicated that anglers’ choice of fishing trips was most influenced by distance traveled, followed by the catch‐related aspects of the trip, with catfish size having a greater influence than the numbers of catfish caught or harvested. We then conducted a latent class analysis of catfish anglers, which involved the use of cluster analysis to assign anglers to five groups based on their catch‐related attitude scores, and we reran the stated choice model for each cluster. Clusters ranged from harvest‐oriented anglers to size‐oriented anglers that were focused on catching large trophy fish. Results from these models can assist fisheries managers in setting management goals and objectives that best meet the needs of their clientele.Received December 17, 2012; accepted June 27, 2013