Assessing the Role of Recreation Specialization in Fishing Site Substitution

Abstract

Recreation specialization and site substitution are two distinct lines of research for understanding recreationists’ choices and behaviors. Although theoretically linked by a number of concepts, few studies have explored the predictive relationships from a developmental perspective. Using cross-sectional data from a statewide survey of Texas anglers, this article examined a model in which an angler's site substitution decision is a function of experience preferences, consumptive orientation, and place attachment. It was hypothesized that recreation specialization was indirectly related to site substitution via these concepts. Results supported the notion that as specialization increases, recreationists become place specialists, and agree with the proposition that dependency on a specific resource or site increases as specialization increases. Understanding theoretical and empirical linkages between specialization and site substitution will provide a basis for incorporating information about recreationists and their substitution decisions to provide more meaningful management implications across different situations.

Keywords:

• natural resource management
• place attachment
• recreational fishing
• recreation specialization
• site substitution

Acknowledgments

We appreciate Yung-Ping Tseng, Nathan R. Wolber, and Robert B. Ditton for data collection, and two anonymous reviewers and the guest editors for valuable review comments.