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16 Endangered Fish Survey Stereotypes Regarding Endangered Fish Another approach to evaluating individuals' basic beliefs involves examining the stereotypes people hold toward these species, Four different stereotype beliefs were included in the survey (Table 6), About a third (31%) of all respondents agreed with the statements that endangered fish do not make good sportfish and are not attractive, Approximately a quarter indicated that the fish are nothing more than bottom feeders (27%) and trash fish (25%). Responses to these last two items raise interesting issues, First, 32% of the sample gave a neutral response to the question regarding the fish being bottom feeders, Comments received with respect to this item indicated that many felt that fish that feed off the bottom of the river are a valuable component to the overall health of the ecosystem and thus the negative connotation of the statement was inappropriate, Second, nearly two-thirds disagreed with the item labeling endangered fish as trash fish, Table 6. Stereotypes about endangered fish The endangered fish: Agree Neutral Disagree do not make good sportfish 32 31 37 are ugly 31 27 42 are nothing more than "bottom feeders" 27 32 41 are nothing more than a trash fish 25 11 64 Cell entries are percentages The elected officials and anglers were more likely to hold these negative stereotypes regarding endangered fish than either the general public or environmental group members (Table 7), Table 7. Stereotypes about endangered fish by group The endangered fish: Elected General Environmental Officials Public Anglers Groups do not make good sportfish 45 25 34 20 are nothing more than "bottom feeders" 37 19 33 21 are ugly 36 23 40 19 are nothing more than a trash fish 34 20 30 12 Cell entries are the percentage of each group "agreeing" with the statement I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I