What Are Obstacles to Voluntary Initiatives

For our eyes only: Name of Aquarium Store ______

Name of Contact ______

Date ______

TELEPHONE SURVEY

[Please be informed that the responses provided in this survey are anonymous. Neither your name nor that of your business will be presented with these data at any time.]

PART I

[I am going to start with some general background questions about your aquarium store]

1. What is your job title and what are your primary duties? (Circle duties for coding)

purchasing

inventory

management

customer service

owner

sales

other: ______

2. Does your store sell salt or fresh water fish or both?

Salt FreshBoth

3. Have you heard the term “invasive species”?

YesNoDon’t Know

[Thanks, I’m interested in finding out your opinions on invasive species. To make sure that everyone is on the same page, we will use the following definition of invasive species: "A species that establishes populations in an area where it is not native.”]

4. Have you previously heard of aquarium pets or plants becoming invasive in natural areas?

Yes NoDon’t know

5. Do you think aquarium hobbyists ever think of their pets or plants as being potentially invasive?

Yes NoDon’t know

6a. Do you think the aquarium trade has a role to play in the spread of invasive species?

YesNoDon’t know

6b. Do you think the aquarium trade has a role to play in the prevention of invasions?

YesNoDon’t know

7. What do you think people do with their aquarium pets when they can’t keep them anymore (i.e., moving).

Suggestions to lead them if necessary (not to be read to the survey respondent):

Return it to the store where they bought it

Give it away to a friend

Release it in their backyard

Release it in a nearby park or waterway

Humanely dispose

Other?

8. Has a customer ever asked you what to do with their unwanted pets?

YesNoDon’t know

9. Do you think aquarium store customers ever release their pets into a local stream or sewer system? (Optional—this could be duplicative if they answered “release it” in Question 7…but if they didn’t, it would be important to ask here.)

YesNoDon’t know

10. Do you think aquarium stores sell fish or plants that may become invasive?

YesNoDon’t know

11. I’m going to read a short list of statements, for each statement, please rate yourself on a scale ranging from agreeing to disagreeing with that statement.

12. I will mention seven groups that I would like you to rate in terms of responsibility for preventing aquatic invasions. Please rank each group on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being who you think should be most responsible and 5 being the least responsible for preventing invasions via the aquarium trade.

Consumers 12345

Retailers 12345

Wholesalers12345

Breeders/Collectors12345

Policy Makers12345

Scientists12345

Government Agencies12345

13. Would you be willing to sell a different species in place of one that could become invasive in the area?

YesNoDon’t know

14. How many different fish types do you have in your store now?

less than 7575-300more than 300Actual number______

15. Do you own an aquarium of your own?

YesNo

16. Have you ever bred fish yourself or traded fish with friends?

Yes No

17. If it was determined that some fish could be invasive, would you prefer that the aquarium trade address the issue with….

Voluntary Code of ConductregulationsOther______

**Do you have any questions, or comments you’d like to add?

Well, that’s it. I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me. Just to reiterate, this survey was designed to help us figure out how environmental issues affect the aquarium trade, and we care about your opinions and those of other professionals. All of your answers for you and your business are anonymous; we’re just looking for general patterns and are extremely grateful for your willingness to participate. Thanks again for your time. [If you have any further questions, or comments you’d like to add at a future date, feel free to email/call me at ______].

Thank you very much.

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