The Sustainable Urban Seascapes, Moreton Bay project not only focused on the outstanding ecological values of the region but also had a research theme focused on social values. This theme aimed to learn more about the places in Moreton Bay that people value.
Postdoctoral fellow Dr Vicki Martin led a project focused on capturing the values of one important stakeholder group, recreational motor vessel users. The project used a combination of in-person and online survey questions within a Geographical Information System to record and map the values held by recreational boaters. A team of researchers visited popular boat ramps across the region in 2022 and received 304 valid surveys. As a result, 14 value types were mapped across the region (e.g., “therapeutic reasons”, “experiencing nature”, “spiritual connections”). The most popular value type was appreciating the natural beauty.
Photo credit: Carissa Klein.
The data collected in this project are of interest to Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation for informing marine management decisions. It inspired the development of an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant, led by Associate Professor Carissa Klein. The research was also the foundation of a project currently being run by The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, for developing the Southern Great Barrier Reef Plan of Management: gbrmpa.gov.au/our-work/programs-and- projects/southern-plan-management
For more information about this and other social value projects in Moreton Bay, please contact Dr Claudia Benham, Associate Professor Carissa Klein, or Dr Vicki Martin (vicki.martin@mosaicinsights.com.au).
The research was also the foundation of a project currently being run by The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, for developing the Southern Great Barrier Reef Plan of Management.
Photo credit: Bridey Crowe.
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