Understanding visitor-wildlife interactions (B2.3)

Task leader: Dr Gianna Moscardo, James Cook University.

Task associates:
Mr James Innes, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Mr David Morgans, Tourism Queensland.

There is a belief among tourism industry personnel and natural area managers that opportunities to view wildlife are a major and increasingly important component of visitor expectations. There is also growing concern about the possibility of negative impacts on some species of wildlife resulting from increasing visitor attention or pressure. At the same time, there are concerns expressed by tourism industry personnel that existing tourism opportunities could be improved and that increasingly restrictive management regulations may have negative economic impacts on tourism. To date, there is little evidence to inform this debate. The major contribution of this project will be to provide some GBR specific information on the importance of wildlife viewing opportunities, likely future demand, and the factors that influence visitor behaviour and responses to the available wildlife interactions.

Objectives of the project are to:

• Develop an understanding of the factors which influence visitor behaviour in relation to wildlife interaction opportunities available within the GBR World Heritage Area.

• Describe levels of demand for, and expectations of, marine wildlife interactions.

• Identify the setting, wildlife, management and operations factors which influence visitor wildlife interaction experiences.

• Contribute to the development of more effective educational programs and other management strategies for visitor wildlife interactions.

• Have GBR-specific cases included in a National Integrated Project into Wildlife Tourism being coordinated by the CRC for Sustainable Tourism.

The latest data summary report for this project – Understanding visitor-wildlife interactions: Lady Musgrave Island and Lady Elliot Island– is available at the B2.3 Publications page.

Following the completion of this visitor study, a staff interpretive resources kit was developed for the Southern section of the GBR and is currently being trialed by boat crews in the Lady Musgrave Island area. We will soon be seeking feedback from the operators on their evaluations of the resource kit.