New Forearm Elements Discovered of Holotype Specimen Australovenator wintonensis from Winton, Queensland, Australia

New skeletal elements are reported of the holotype specimen Australovenator wintonensis, from the type locality, near Winton, central western Queensland. New elements include left and right humeri, right radius, right radiale, right distal carpal 1, near complete right metacarpal I, left manual phalanx II-1, left manual phalanx II-2, near complete left manual phalanx II-3 and a left manual phalanx III-3. These new elements combined with those previously described are compared against other neovenatorids

Science Communication in a Digital Age: Social Media and the American Fisheries Society

Social media platforms are effective tools used to help communicate and increase involvement in cultural, political, and scientific circles. In 2012, an ad hoc committee was established to explore online fisheries science communication and how social media platforms can be utilized by the American Fisheries Society (AFS). A survey was disseminated to all AFS units (chapters, sections, divisions) and student subunits to better understand the current use of social media within the AFS. A relatively high response rate (82%) provided some confidence in the survey results—namely, that nearly 69% or more of units and subunits used social media. Facebook was the dominant platform used (59%; all others < 15%) and almost exclusively (97%) for the purpose of communication. Education, outreach, and member recruitment were other reasons for social media use. Finally, whether units currently use social media or not at all, it was recommended that AFS-led workshops and assistance would increase the usefulness of social media

Measurement of Catch-Related Attitudes and their Influence on Angler Preferences

The primary purpose of my dissertation was to assess two competing models of catch-related attitudes (CRA) of recreational anglers for: 1) valid psychometric measurement, 2) consistency of CRA under different angling contexts, and 3) effect of CRA on angler preferences. Data came from a statewide survey of 6,924 licensed Texas anglers, and a follow-up survey of 1,078 freshwater catfish anglers identified by the statewide survey. I used confirmatory factor analysis to determine that a 4-construct model of CRA provided better fit to the data than a 3-construct model, and was configural and metric invariant across gender, ethnic, and angling context groups indicating cross-group comparisons would be unbiased. However, low factor loadings on several items, and low variance extracted estimates, indicate that current CRA scales require refinement. Additionally, structural equation models found that angler responses to the CRA scale were moderately consistent when measured in generic and species-specific contexts (50-60% shared variance), and the relationship between the two was not consistently moderated by measures of angling avidity. Next, I assessed influence of CRA on angler fishing trip preferences using a stated choice analysis. Results showed that angler choice of hypothetical fishing trips was influenced primarily by travel costs and catch-related trip attributes, and that CRA were significant mediators of angler preferences for associated trip attributes. Finally, I used a latent class state choice model to analyze separate trip choice models for five sub-groups of catfish anglers divided based on their CRA scores. Individual models showed considerable variation in preference for catch-related attributes paralleling strength of each groups’ attitudes towards a given CRA construct. Overall, results indicated that CRA scales are valid predictors of angler preferences and behavioral intentions. Human dimensions researchers studying angler populations will find the CRA scale to be a useful tool to incorporate into predictive models of angler behavior and preferences. Furthermore, fisheries managers should find the CRA scales useful to assess management preferences of an increasingly heterogeneous angler clientele, and aide them in designing management plans that efficiently meet angler needs and catch-related expectations

Economic Contributions of Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Recreational Fisheries: U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico

Highly migratory species (tunas, billfish, swordfish, and sharks or HMS) are pursued by a dedicated group of anglers that spend significant amounts in pursuit of these “big game” fish. From 2013 to 2016, NOAA Fisheries conducted the most comprehensive assessment of the economic impacts of HMS recreational fisheries in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. This assessment included a cost-earnings logbook study of the HMS for-hire (charter/headboat) sector (2013), HMS angler durable goods survey (2014), HMS angler trip expenditure survey (2016), and HMS tournament economic study (2016). The HMS For-hire Logbook Study collected data on vessel operator expenditures associated with for-hire HMS vessel charter trips taken in the summer and fall of 2013. The 2014 HMS Durable Goods Survey collected data on expenditures associated with fishing equipment and related goods that could be used over multiple trips (e.g., tackle, rods and reels, boats, vehicles, second homes). The 2016 HMS Angler Expenditure Survey collected data on expenditures associated with HMS trips made by HMS Angling permit holders. Finally, the HMS Tournament Economic Study consisted of a cost-earnings survey of tournament operators and an expenditure survey of tournament participants. Combined, these studies estimated over $307 million per year in expenditures associated with HMS recreational fishing activities that had a combined economic output of over$510 million per year generated by approximately 24,000 HMS permit holders