Table 18. Relative importancea placed on various
reasons for going saltwater private boat fishing in Massachusetts, according
to specialization level
Reason
Specialization Level
Least
Moderately
Very
Most
Relaxation
N/Ab
4.25
4.41
4.53
Fun of catching fish
N/A
4.19
4.22
4.36
To be outdoors
N/A
4.03
4.25
4.44
To be close to water
N/A
3.97
4.20
4.59
For experience of catch
N/A
3.83
4.06
4.25
Share experiences with friends, family, others
N/A
3.87
4.09
4.34
For challenge or sport
N/A
3.57
3.68
4.31
Get away from demands of others
N/A
3.16
3.66
3.84
To develop skills
N/A
2.94
3.20
3.59
To experience new and different things
N/A
3.34
3.29
3.52
For family recreation
N/A
3.38
3.35
3.52
To catch "trophy" fish
N/A
2.73
2.79
2.96
To catch fish to share with other people
N/A
2.29
2.63
3.10
To obtain fish to eat
N/A
2.16
2.77
2.75
To test equipment
N/A
2.02
2.30
2.58
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.