It is widely recognized among a growing number of scientists, environmentalists, and policymakers that marine environments are showing signs of change as a result of human activity and that understanding and conserving marine biodiversity are among the most important research priorities and policy issues of our time (Sullivan, 1996). In recent years, a growing number of popular books—for example, Benchley and Gradwohl (1995), Earle (1995), Norse (1993), Thorne-Miller ( 1993), and Weber and Gradwohl (1995)—have been published, sounding the clarion call of concern for ocean conservation issues. However, until recently, there has been no concentrated effort to determine to what extent these messages were being received, or in fact, how the general public felt about the ocean and ocean conservation issues.

Spruill, V.N. 1997. Review and comment: U.S. public attitudes toward marine environmental issues. Oceanography 10(3):149–152, https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.1997.13.

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