Explanation of Indicator
Seafood is an important part of Floridians’ diet, both nutritionally and culturally. Floridians enjoy fresh, easily obtained, and inexpensive seafood whether they catch it themselves or purchase it from commercial vendors. Changes in seafood quality can occur from natural or human-induced changes in water quality; in addition, seafood quality can be affected by processing and shipping activities. These changes may be perceived by the public, resulting in corresponding public responses such as demands for increased regulation and reduction of seafood purchases. The perception of decreased safety could negatively affect the economy and could result in a reduction of the quality of life for residents.
Data Characteristics
SOURCE
There is currently no source of data for this information.
ACQUISITION
Not applicable.
COLLECTION
Not applicable.
Recommendations
Currently there is no information available for this indicator. An annual survey of Florida residents could be developed to obtain this information.
The Florida Coastal Management Program (FCMP) should develop the Florida Coastal Issue Survey to elicit responses from Florida residents concerning this issue. A survey can gauge the general public’s opinions, attitudes, and knowledge concerning coastal issues. The FCMP should conduct an annual telephone survey of Florida’s adult population (ages 18 and over) to elicit information concerning a variety of coastal management issues. The selection of the telephone numbers should be based on a two stage random digit dialing stratified by coastal and non-coastal county designation. The two stage process ensures a more random sample of residential households; the stratification ensures that the designated coastal and non-coastal counties will have an appropriate proportion of the sample. There should be two sections to the survey: the first section should request general demographic information about the respondent and the household (age, sex, income, # in household, zip code area, etc.); the second section should contain questions about coastal issues.
The survey should contain a question asking the respondents about their concern for the safety of seafood, with prompting of a Likert scaling response.
Sample question: How concerned are you with the safety of Florida’s seafood: very concerned, somewhat concerned, or not concerned?
Summary of the responses would show the proportion of the population that was concerned with the safety of Florida’s seafood.