The responses to this survey will be used in ongoing research by the nonprofit organization Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation and the University of New Hampshire. Our ultimate goal is to develop more effective and efficient methods of preventing pollution from marine debris. The survey will take approximately 5-10 minutes. Please choose your answer, or fill in the blanks as appropriate. Your participation is completely voluntary. You may refuse to answer any questions or stop participating at any time. The responses will be anonymous, but the compiled information collected from the surveys will be available to anyone interested in our project. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Jen Kennedy at Blue Ocean Society or 603-431-0260 or Dr. Jenna Jambeck at 603-862-4023. If you have any questions regarding your rights as a research subject, you may call the UNH Office of Sponsored Research at (603) 862-2003 to discuss them. Again, participation is totally voluntary and you may discontinue participation at any time during or after the survey.
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1) Where are you from? (State) -If international, skip this question and put Country and City in Question #2.
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2) Where are you from? (city) -If international put Country and City here.
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3) How close do you live to a water body (ocean, lake or river)?
< 1 mile
1-3 miles
3-10 miles
10-20 miles
> 20 miles
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4) In your opinion, what is the one most effective way to conserve the marine environment?
Reduce the amount of commercial fishing
Increase education
Limit the recreational use of the oceans
Reduce pollution in the environment
Other
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5) What, in your opinion, is the greatest threat to marine mammals?
Over fishing
Marine Pollution
Coastal development/habitat destruction
Whaling
Other
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6) What actions do you take, if any, to protect the environment? (check all that apply)
Recycle
Reuse
Compost
Use environmentally-friendly cleaning products
Limit the use of pesticides and potentially harmful garden products
Do not dump things down a storm drain
Participate in a cleanup
Other
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7) If you are walking on the beach or along a road and see a piece of litter, what do you do?
Nothing
Pick it up and dispose of it
Think about picking it up but don't
Doesn't apply/I don't take walks
Other
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8) If you see someone polluting (e.g. someone walking by you throws a cigarette on the ground), what do you do?
Nothing
Give them a dirty look
Talk to them
Other
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9) What do you think is the number one item found on your local beaches during beach cleanups?
Plastic Bottles
Metal Cans
Cigarette butts
Syringes
Lost fishing gear
Lobster traps
Plastic wrappers
Other
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10) When you are visiting the beach, how do you dispose of your trash?
In trash containers, if they are provided
Trash containers are not usually provided, so I take it home
If trash containers aren't provided, I leave my trash somewhere at the beach. Why should I dispose of it?
Not applicable/I don't visit the beach
Other
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11) When you visit the beach or go boating, what do you do with recyclable items (e.g. bottles and cans)?
I throw them out with my trash
I find a recycle bin to place them in
I bring them home if there is no recycle bin available
Not applicable
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12) How do you feel when you see litter on the beach?
I don't usually notice whether there's litter or not
It makes me mad
I don't really care as long as it isn't anything sharp or unsafe
Not applicable
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13) Many beaches in New Hampshire and other areas are "carry-in, carry-out" parks, meaning whatever trash you make, you have to bring out with you and no garbage cans are provided. What do you think about this policy?
I'm not sure
I think garbage cans should be provided and I would use them
It doesn't make a difference to me-I just bring my trash home
If garbage cans aren't provided, I shouldn't be responsible for my trash
Not applicable
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14) Do you Smoke?
Yes
No
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15) It yes, how do you dispose of cigarette butts?
I throw them on the ground/out the car window
I put them in an ashtray and throw them in the garbage
Other
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16) If you are at a beach or park that has educational displays and signs, do you read them?
Yes, I like to be informed so I read any signs I see
I might read them, depending on the content
Heck no, I'm at the beach to relax, not to learn!
Not applicable/don't visit the beaches or parks
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17) How would you rate the prevalence of marine pollution(litter) in the U.S.? 1= not a problem, 5= big problem
1
2
3
4
5
Not sure
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18) How would you rate the prevalence of marine pollution (litter) in your local area? 1=not a problem, 5=big problem
1
2
3
4
5
Not sure
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19) How concerned are you about marine pollution in the U.S.? 1= not concerned, 5= very concerned
1
2
3
4
5
Not sure
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20) How concerned are you about marine pollution in your local area? 1= not concerned, 5= very concerned
1
2
3
4
5
Not sure
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21) Which of the following items do you think would be most effective in deterring litter at the beach?
Displays/Signs
Trash Bins
Recycle Bins
Monofilament fishing line recycle bins
None of the above
Other
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22) Have you ever participated in a beach cleanup?
Yes
No
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23) If not, why?
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24) Which of the following outdoor activities do you enjoy? (check all that apply)
Hiking
Kayaking/canoeing
Sailing
Boating/water sports
Surfing
Biking
Snow skiing/snowboarding
Rock climbing
None of the above
Other
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25) If you visit beaches, do you visit them all year or only certain times of the year? (e.g., from May to October)
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26) During the time of year you are visiting beaches how often do you go?
Daily
1-2 times per week
1-2 times per month
Less than once a month
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27) Do you feel more inclined to support marine conservation organizations after this survey and talking with us?
Yes
No
I already give my support
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28) After taking this survey, do you feel more inclined to make changes at home (e.g. recycle, use less electricity and water) to protect/conserve the environment?
Yes
No
I already conserve as much as I can
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29) What is your age?
1-10 years old
11-15 years old
16-20 years old
21-30 years old
31-40 years old
41-50 years old
51-70 years old
71+ years old
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30) Gender?
Male
Female
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31) What is your highest completed or current level of education?
Junior high school
High school
College/University
Graduate school
Vocational school
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Any other comments?:
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32) Please write down your name and email address to be entered in the Marine Debris Drawing for a beach towel
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33) Check box if you would like to receive ONE email from us with website information on the Blue Ocean Society and the University of New Hampshire Marine Debris Research Program.
Yes
No
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