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This survey has been created by researchers at The University of Western Australia, to understand the attitudes and behaviours of Lord Howe Island adult residents towards Galapagos sharks (the most common species found at Lord Howe Island). This survey is being conducted in conjunction with another ongoing research project which is investigating the movement patterns of Galapagos sharks around Lord Howe Island, and how sharks are interacting with fishing vessels.

We appreciate your time and perspective in completing the survey. Please complete one survey per adult resident (ages 18+). Answer the questions in relation to Galapagos sharks at Lord Howe Island only. If you have comments about other species of sharks, you may include them in the final comment box at the end of the survey.

The survey will take 10 minutes to complete.

All responses will be anonymous.

If you are unable to complete this survey online, hardcopy survey forms are available from the LHI Marine Parks Office.

All aggregated results from this survey will be publicly available and the research will be shared with the local community in a series of presentations and information posters. The research will benefit the local community by understanding people’s views on sharks and how they interact with them, to determine whether they have a positive or negative effect on businesses on the island and the health of the marine ecosystem. 

Approval to conduct this research has been provided by the University of Western Australia, in accordance with its ethics review and approval procedures. Any person considering participation in this research project, or agreeing to participate, may raise any questions or issues with the researchers at any time. In addition, any person not satisfied with the response of researchers may raise ethics issues or concerns, and may make any complaints about this research project by contacting the Human Ethics Office at the University of Western Australia on (08) 6488 3703 or by emailing to humanethics@uwa.edu.au

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Jonathan Mitchell at: jonathanmitchell023@gmail.com
Thank you.


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* 1. Are you currently a resident of Lord Howe Island

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* 2. How many years in total have you lived on Lord Howe Island?

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* 3. How many years in total have you lived off island during your lifetime?

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* 4. How old are you?

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* 5. Do you own, operate, work for, or volunteer for any of the following? Select all that apply.

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* 6. How often do you undertake the following activities at Lord Howe Island? (Please tick one box for each activity)

  Daily Weekly Monthly Yearly Rarely Never
Snorkel or SCUBA diving
Fish from shore
Fish from personal boat
Fish from charter vessel
Surf, kayak or paddleboard
Swim
Spend time on beach

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* 7. Where and how often do you encounter Galapagos sharks around Lord Howe Island? (Please tick one box for each location)

  Daily Weekly Monthly Yearly Rarely Never
North Bay
Old settlement
North Passage
Jetty
Pines
Near aquatic club beach and/or Blackburn/Rabbit island
Erscotts or Comets Hole
South Passage
Lovers, Kings Beach or Salmon Beach 
Little Island
Neds beach
Middle beach
Blinkies beach
Balls Pyramid
Admiralty Islands
Offshore waters
Lagoon (other than places listed above)

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* 8. Galapagos sharks and the environment (please answer these questions only in relation to Galapagos sharks at Lord Howe Island. Please tick one box per statement)

  Strongly agree (1) Agree (2) Neutral (3) Disagree (4) Strongly Disagree (5)
Without Galapagos sharks, fish populations around Lord Howe would decrease (e.g. negative ecosystem effects).
Without Galapagos sharks, fish populations around Lord Howe would be healthier
Galapagos sharks are vulnerable to fishing
It would be better if there were fewer Galapagos sharks
Galapagos sharks are a sign of a healthy ecosystem
I enjoy seeing Galapagos sharks in the ocean.
Galapagos sharks should be protected
Galapagos shark populations around Lord Howe have increased over your time living on the island
Galapagos shark populations around Lord Howe have decreased over your time living on the island

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* 9. Galapagos sharks and Lord Howe Island tourism (please answer these questions only in relation to Galapagos sharks at Lord Howe Island. Please tick one box per statement)

  Strongly agree (1) Agree (2) Neutral (3) Disagree (4) Strongly Disagree (5)
Galapagos sharks are good for the whole of the Lord Howe Island tourism industry (including accommodation, restaurants, tours, etc.)
Galapagos sharks are good for marine tour businesses (including glass-bottom boat tours, fishing charters, turtle tours, snorkeling, and diving tours)
Tourists enjoy seeing Galapagos sharks
Galapagos sharks decrease the amount of fresh fish available to local restaurants.

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* 10. Galapagos sharks and fishing (including both local recreational fishing and charter fishing) (please answer these questions only in relation to Galapagos sharks at Lord Howe Island. Please tick one box per statement)

  Strongly Agree (1) Agree (2) Neutral (3) Disagree (4) Strongly Disagree (5)
Galapagos sharks interfere with and impact upon recreational and charter fishing
Recreational and charter fishing is a threat to Galapagos shark populations
Galapagos sharks should be harvested to eat
Galapagos sharks taste good
Galapagos sharks should be culled
Non-lethal measures should be used to reduce interactions between fishers and Galapagos sharks
I have changed how and/or where I fish to avoid Galapagos sharks
Catching a Galapagos shark adds to the enjoyment of my fishing trip
I target Galapagos sharks when I go fishing
Galapagos sharks are a threat to the other fish I want to catch (e.g., kingfish)
If I catch a Galapagos shark, I make sure to release it in good condition
I purposely kill Galapagos sharks that I encounter while fishing
Galapagos sharks cost me money because they destroy my gear
Galapagos sharks cost me money because they eat the fish on my line.
Fishing changes the behaviour of Galapagos sharks

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* 11. Knowledge of Galapagos shark biology: How large do Galapagos sharks grow in length?

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* 12. On average, how large are the Galapagos sharks you have seen around Lord Howe Island?

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* 13. How many Galapagos sharks do you think there are in the waters around Lord Howe Island?

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* 14. How easy was this survey to understand and complete?

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* 15. Do you have any other information or opinions on sharks that you would like to share?
If you have comments on other species of sharks, please specify which species.
Do you have any comments on the structure and scope of the survey?

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