BC opinion poll finds widespread concern over health of oceans

British Columbians even more concerned about health of oceans (89%)than
    global warming (87%).

    Nine in ten (90%) support the creation of large-scale marine protected
    areas that are off-limits to industrial activity.VANCOUVER, Dec. 16 /CNW/ - A recent phone survey of 801 British
Columbians, conducted by McAllister Opinion Research, found that nearly nine
in ten (89%) are concerned about the health of oceans. In comparison, the same
poll found that slightly fewer British Columbians - 87 percent - are concerned
about global warming.
    "Global warming might be in the daily headlines, but it is still a bit of
an abstraction to many British Columbians, said Angus McAllister, President of
McAllister Opinion Research. "Six in ten (61%) believe that the impacts of
global warming are still years away. On the other hand, the public do not need
to be convinced that oceans and its inhabitants matter today. Oceans are key
to the sense of place and identity felt by British Columbians. We even put a
marine animal on our hockey jersey."
    The poll found equal levels of concern in both interior and coastal
communities. McAllister states: "Our polling reinforced earlier focus group
findings that this concern is not limited to urbanites who wear yoga pants and
drive Priuses.  It seems that British Columbians from all walks of life value
BC's oceans, not just as pretty scenery, but as a productive asset that
provides for local economies, our quality of life, recreational fishing, and
food chain."
    The McAllister poll also explored whether public concern for oceans was
linked to support for more government action to protect marine ecosystems. The
results show that 90% of British Columbians support establishment of more
marine protected areas (MPAs) off the BC coast in which industrial activities
are strictly prohibited. Eighty-four percent (84%) support increased
government funding of marine science, while another 82 percent want
governments to fund more fisheries officers to enforce marine conservation
laws. Asked to specify what percentage of BC coastal waters should be set
aside as "marine protected areas (MPA) in which industrial activities are
prohibited and commercial harvests are strictly regulated," residents want to
see an average of 50% of coastal waters protected.
    According to McAllister, "our research indicates that despite the
economic hard times, there is an increasing resistance to the notion that
environment has to be sacrificed to protect jobs. The poll found that over
nine in ten (94%) BC residents agree that "it is possible to have both a
healthy environment and a healthy economy," while just five percent disagree. 
McAllister says, "this view is particularly strong in the case of natural
assets like oceans".To view Survey Methodology Research Results, please visit:
    http://files.newswire.ca/756/backgrounder.pdf

For further information: Angus McAllister, President, McAllister Opinion
Research [phone] or [phone]; www.mcallister-research.com