Natural versus anthropogenic risks: Using public perception to create a robust risk assessment for marine and coastal protected areas.

Amy (Left) and one of her research volunteers

Amy Trenouth, Centre for Environmental Management， Central Queensland University

High value areas, such as marine and coastal protected areas (MCPAs) are an integral component of our lives. They help connect us to the environment, provide food, and are a place to play and relax. Yet, there are a number of things that impact upon these areas that need to be managed if we’re to successfully manage these regions for future generations. Human interactions in these areas are one of the things that can impact MCPAs. A primary consideration for effective MCPAs is local communities accepting protected areas (and possible restrictions imposed by the MCPA) and users of these areas understanding the hazards (such as natural threats like cyclones and flooding, or human-made threats like oil spills) that need to be managed.

Human impacts on the environment at the Port of Gladstone
Photo © AmyTrenouth

Because people are an integral component of the natural ecosystem and are good lobbyists for protecting areas and species in need, I set out to explore how understanding public perceptions can drive some of the impacts we see in MCPAs and how public pressure (people power) can be used for positive conservation policy outcomes. Thus, my PhD research explores the general public’s and MCPA stakeholder groups’ perceptions of MCPA management and hazards.

To achieve this, I’m undertaking field research in both Queensland (QLD) and Western Australia (WA) to investigate people’s perceptions of natural and artificial threats within MCPAs and if people act as advocates for the marine environment. To achieve this, I have undertaken field surveys in QLD (travelling to Fraser Island World Heritage Area and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park) and WA (travelling from Perth to Ningaloo) to question MCPA stakeholders (recreational and commercial fishers, environmental managers and rangers, local business owners or local residents, tourists and tour operators etc.).

Typical type of location for approaching stakeholders
Photo © AmyTrenouth

More than 250 people participated in the surveys in Queensland, with 272 participants from WA. It’s hoped that a comparison between east and west coast and different types of protected areas will show some trends about how the public perceive threats to these areas and how they wish to engage to help protect these areas. Other aspects of my research include developing a risk assessment to explore which stakeholder groups are most accurate in estimating the risk of different hazards to MCPAs and how these outcomes can be used to improve conservation policies and develop effective engagement strategies for protected areas and stakeholders.

This type of research has rarely been directed towards MCPAs in Australia, with the anticipated outcome being improved conservation decisions regarding MCPAs that are supported by an increased understanding of public opinion on the management of our high value marine and coastal environments. This may also identify any knowledge gaps of MCPA that can be targeted to improve the public’s knowledge by outreach and education programs, or this research may highlight public concern for hazards that management do not believe pose high risk.

Fraser Island one of the study sites from the air Photo © AmyTrenouth

Coastal area damaged by Queenslands 2011 cyclone Photo © AmyTrenouth