Which Fish is A Deviant? The Social Construction of Fish Species in Greater Yellowstone

Abstract

The reintroduction and protection of native fish species frequently creates conflict with fish management and policy. This study uses the Social Construction Framework to examine anglers’ social construction of nine fish species in the Idaho portion of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. This exploratory study uses a sample of 179 anglers to examine perceptions of fish species, and perceived and desired power of fish species. Despite clearly stated support for native species, findings indicate positive and negative constructions of native and non-native fish species. The native Yellowstone Cutthroat and Bonneville Cutthroat are socially constructed as Advantaged (viewed as powerful and positive) in both descriptive and normative social constructions. Whereas the native Mountain Whitefish and Utah Sucker are socially constructed as Deviants (viewed as powerless and negative) in both the descriptive and normative social constructions. We use multiple independent variables to find predictors of support for the various fish species. The implications of our findings are discussed.