Salem State Researchers Present Seal Survey Findings to Marine Mammal Commission

Jennifer Jackman (political science) and Michele Sweeney (health care studies) attended the April 6 Marine Mammal Commission Annual Meeting in Woods Hole to present findings from their study on "Stakeholder View of Seals, Conflicts and Public Policy: A Survey of Attitudes toward Seals Among Voters, Anglers and Tourists on Nantucket," which was conducted in collaboration with K.C. Bloom (SMS). The research team, which also included graduate student Ren Bettencourt of the Tufts University Center for Animals and Public Policy and Salem State undergraduate research assistants, conducted the study last summer. Surveys were administered by mail to a random sample of voters and in-person to tourists and anglers on Nantucket.

The study found some areas of agreement among voters, anglers and tourists, including support for policies that prioritize ecosystem health and recognition of the importance of seals to the ecosystem. While voters and anglers were concerned about seal interference with fishing and that seals draw sharks, they opposed lethal management. Tourists were less concerned about fishing and sharks and were even more strongly opposed to lethal management. Voters, anglers and tourists also were concerned about seal welfare and strongly supported the rescue of entangled and stranded seals and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.The Cape Cod Times reported on the Marine Mammal Commission presentation. 

The seal survey was conducted under the auspices of the Human Dimensions of Wildlife Unit of the Salem Bates Center for Public Affairs and funded by mini- and seed grants from the School of Graduate Studies and the University Research Advisory Committee, along with grants from the American Political Science Small Grants Program and Elizabeth A. Lawrence Endowed Fund.