Standard Presentation Australian Marine Sciences Association Annual Meeting 2023

Social perspectives on human-shorebird interactions and strategies for reducing negative impacts (#34)

Tracy Schultz 1 , Simone Bosshard 2 , Angela Dean 1
  1. University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
  2. Sunshine Coast Council, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia

The shoreline is an integral part of marine ecosystems, and the social sciences play a pivotal role in their management. Recently, human-wildlife interactions at Maroochy North Shore, a shoreline area located on the Sunshine Coast, have led to a decline in the number of shorebirds utilising the area to roost. As a result, the Sunshine Coast Council is looking to explore solutions that help mitigate against negative human-wildlife impacts. Over three months, approximately 2000 residents of the area responded to an online or in person survey to understand local community perspectives of human impacts on wildlife. The results showed that residents highly value the area for both its natural beauty and as a “local place” for recreation, most often with their dogs joining them off-leash. Importantly, visitors to the area recognise that there are human impacts on the area and, while support varied depending on several factors, they are generally open to a range of solutions including partial, seasonal closure of the off-leash area. Drawing on these results, recommendations on the use of social insights to bolster support for mitigation strategies will be presented, including ensuring that communication activities recognise local values and empowering the community to become local champions.