Table 24. Relative importancea placed on various
reasons for going saltwater shore fishing in Massachusetts, according
to specialization level
Reason
Specialization Level
Least
Moderately
Very
Most
Relaxation
N/Ab
4.01
4.45
4.67
Fun of catching fish
N/A
4.07
4.31
4.56
To be outdoors
N/A
4.00
4.37
4.23
For experience of catch
N/A
3.58
4.34
4.41
To be close to water
N/A
3.69
4.22
4.43
For challenge or sport
N/A
3.37
4.24
4.47
Share experiences with friends, family, others
N/A
3.59
3.88
4.24
Get away from demands of others
N/A
3.18
3.47
4.16
To develop skills
N/A
2.86
3.56
3.93
To experience new and different things
N/A
3.01
3.20
3.55
For family recreation
N/A
3.14
3.28
2.92
To catch "trophy" fish
N/A
2.30
2.83
3.32
To catch fish to share with other people
N/A
2.38
2.59
2.34
To test equipment
N/A
1.91
2.35
2.99
To obtain fish to eat
N/A
2.16
2.01
2.48
aMean score based on five-point scale: 1 =
not at all important, 2 = slightly important, 3 = moderately important,
4 = very important, and 5 = extremely important. bN/A = not
available, due to sample size being too small for specialization group.