OCTOBER 1995 NEWSLETTER

SOCIAL SCIENCE FOR BRAMBLE REEF

One in every four residents of the district have been interviewed or surveyed about the reopening of Bramble Reef to fishing, according to CRC Reef researcher Ms Jayne Ormsby at GBRMPA.

Before this year's July 1 reopening, researchers from the GBRMPA and several departments of JCU, working as a cooperative team under the CRC Reef umbrella, conducted hundreds of telephone surveys and face to face interviews. They asked questions about people's use of the off-shore area, and sought views about the management and importance of both the Marine Park as a whole, and Bramble Reef in particular.

"Well over a hundred face to face interviews have already been collected, and 80% of people who took part have agreed to help in a second round. This time we will be asking follow-up questions to see if there has been any variation in their activities, or if they have changed their minds about the reopening in any way", Jayne said.

"Preliminary analysis of our surveys has shown that almost 95% of interviewees place a high value on maintaining the ecosystem - the plants, animals, fish, coral and water quality.

"When all the results of all the surveys are analysed, including those conducted at boat ramps and on the water by other members of the CRC Reef research team, we will have valuable data on which to base future management decisions about Bramble Reef.

"Participation is always on a voluntary basis, and we hope that we will also be able to speak to some people who have not had their views recorded before," she said.

Early results from the underwater fish counts, boat ramp surveys, and research into the social and economic impact of the closure and reopening of Bramble Reef are available now, and the CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd will publish its full findings in 1996.

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