LAUSR

Abstract This article examines public values and attitudes associated with the current marine reserves (MRs) in Oregon (United States), and how attitudes might change if these areas were to be designated as marine wilderness. Data were obtained from a representative survey of 530 residents of the most heavily populated region in Oregon. Twenty-one assigned values for Oregon’s MRs were statistically grouped into three broader categories of values (environmental protection, emotional well-being, recreation) with respondents clearly preferring that these areas provide values fostering environmental protection over those providing for human emotional or recreational well-being. Respondents who considered environmental protection values to be important were likely to have more positive attitudes (e.g., like, good) about these MRs in general and also feel more positively about these areas if they were to be designated as marine wilderness in particular. Attitudes toward these MRs in general were also positively related to changes in specific attitudes with potential marine wilderness designation. Conversely, those who considered recreation values to be important were likely to have more negative attitudes about these MRs in general and the attitudes for these respondents would become even more negative if these areas were to be designated as marine wilderness.