Marine wildlife entanglement: Assessing knowledge, attitudes, and relevant behaviour in the Australian community

Pearson, Elissa; Mellish, Sarah; Sanders, Ben; Litchfield, Carla

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.10.014

Cited by 33 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…This, in combination with the STLrelated findings (see below), also provides preliminary evidence for Melbourne Zoo regarding the enhanced educational benefits of this newly designed show in combination with the regular exhibit experience (Broad & Weiler, 1998;Madin & Fenton, 2004;Tisdell & Wilson, 2005;Weiler & Smith, 2009;Miller et al, 2013). Pearson et al, 2014]. This is consistent with previous research that has supported the benefits of communicating one key conservation message that is easy for visitors to recall and, therefore, more likely to yield behaviour change (Smith & Broad, 2007).…”

Section: Overall Visitor Learning and Knowledge About Mwesupporting

confidence: 86%

“…Consistent with Pearson et al (2014), correct responses were required to specifically mention marine animals becoming caught in/ingesting human-caused debris, while vague/incorrect responses did not incorporate these key features (e.g. Consistent with Pearson et al (2014), correct responses were required to specifically mention marine animals becoming caught in/ingesting human-caused debris, while vague/incorrect responses did not incorporate these key features (e.g.…”

Section: Overall Visitor Learning and Knowledge About Mwementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Of concern, more than 17% of species affected by ingestion or entanglement in marine debris are listed as threatened or near threatened by The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, including marine turtles (Gall & Thompson, 2015;IUCN, 2015;Wilcox et al, 2015). Steel et al, 2005;Fletcher et al, 2009;Pearson et al, 2014). Yet to date, little research has been conducted that explores public knowledge of, or attitudes towards, marine-conservation issues, and a strong need remains for programmes that seek to change behaviour directly (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Of the limited studies that have explored public awareness about marine-conservation issues (e.g. marine animals being caught in, or ingesting, debris), this suggests many community members still may not fully understand the issue and, specifically, the risks of MWE (Pearson et al, 2014). Steel et al, 2005;Fletcher et al, 2009;Pearson et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Marine wildlife entanglement and the Seal the Loop initiative: a comparison of two free‐choice learning approaches on visitor knowledge, attitudes and conservation behaviour

Mellish

Pearson

Sanders

et al. 2016

International Zoo Yearbook

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Marine debris poses a significant threat to marine wildlife. Given human action is responsible for this litter, reducing debris in the marine environment and rates of marine wildlife entanglement (MWE) (i.e. marine animals that are trapped in debris, such as fishing nets or plastic) rests on public education and action. This study investigated the effectiveness of the Seal the Loop (STL) initiative at Melbourne Zoo, Australia, which was designed to meet these aims. The research used visitor surveys following a visit to a fur‐seal exhibit and/or educational fur‐seal show experience (n = 180 visitors). The findings from this study suggest that participants understand the causes and effects of MWE after visiting the fur‐seal exhibit and/or watching the STL show, with both groups accurately appraising that MWE presents a significant risk to marine wildlife (mean = 84·28/100, sd = 17·97, and mean = 88·61/100, sd = 13·39, respectively). However, between‐group differences also emerged, with show visitors more likely to report learning something new, more likely to be familiar with the STL programme and its aims, displaying more positive attitudes towards marine animals and their conservation, and reporting both a higher willingness to change their future behaviour to support marine conservation (P = 0·052) and a higher perception that their individual action could make a difference (P < 0·05). This study adds to the literature regarding how interactive shows with storytelling can complement traditional static displays, as well as informing our understanding of the interplay between public knowledge/attitudes/behaviours in relation to marine debris and marine‐conservation issues. It is hoped this research will contribute to the ongoing development of education initiatives at zoos and aquariums to enable them to achieve their conservation missions.

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Section: Overall Visitor Learning and Knowledge About Mwesupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Overall Visitor Learning and Knowledge About Mwementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Marine wildlife entanglement and the Seal the Loop initiative: a comparison of two free‐choice learning approaches on visitor knowledge, attitudes and conservation behaviour

Mellish

Pearson

Sanders

et al. 2016

International Zoo Yearbook

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show abstract

“…Pearson et al (2014) describe a survey used to assess the familiarity of Australians in coastal communities with an initiative called "Seal the Loop" aimed at protecting seals from marine waste. Many participants were familiar with the education programme, however 32% of the participants were unable to explain what the risks to wildlife were, and they under-estimated the impact on wildlife numbers.…”

Section: Marine Debris: Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of the Welfare Impact on Pinnipeds of Plastic Marine Debris

Butterworth

2016

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Uncounted, and usually unobserved, numbers of pinnipeds find themselves entangled in lost fishing gear, monofilament line, nets, rope, plastic packaging in the ocean or on the shoreline. These animals may carry debris wrapped around themselves for long periods, and often die as a result, sometimes from deep chronic wounds. The pinniped species most affected by this modern and manmade phenomenon are fur seals, monk seals, and California sea lions, and to a lesser extent gray, common, and monk seals. Entanglement rates described range up to 7.9% of local populations annually, and the common entangling materials; packing bands, fragments of lost net, rope, monofilament line, fishery flashers and lures, long-line fishing gear, hooks and line, and bait hooks are discussed. Awareness of this issue is increasing, and local action is reported to have made measurable differences in entanglement rates, however, plastic material in the ocean is likely to be long lived, and will leave many entangled pinnipeds unreported and result in a hidden and potentially significant effect on wild animal welfare.

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To act or to react? The role of responsiveness in corporate social performance disclosure in preventing plastic pollution in the travel and tourism sector

Fait

Meissner

Gregori

et al. 2022

Corp Soc Responsibility Env

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A corporate social performance model is dependent on strategies involving the processes of social responsiveness. From this perspective, this article observes that the voluntary disclosure of corporate social performances (CSP-D) is a proactive behavior based on "responsiveness" because it corresponds to the ability to reduce the gap between disclosed content and the perception of the content by stakeholders. The study examines the voluntary disclosure actions undertaken through social media by 60 T&T companies to communicate to their stakeholders how they contribute to reducing environmental negative externalities, plastic pollution in particular. Then, a co-word analysis is carried out, adopting social network maps to highlight and compare the cognitive paths that characterize disclosure and reaction. The findings suggest that when the cognitive pathways of stakeholders tend to converge towards the behavior disclosed by companies, their expectations are met and this enhances CSP-D effectiveness. Finally, social media are suitable for generating this alignment, reducing the legitimacy gap and building a good reputation.

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Marine wildlife entanglement: Assessing knowledge, attitudes, and relevant behaviour in the Australian community

Cited by 33 publications

References 54 publications

Marine wildlife entanglement and the Seal the Loop initiative: a comparison of two free‐choice learning approaches on visitor knowledge, attitudes and conservation behaviour

Marine wildlife entanglement and the Seal the Loop initiative: a comparison of two free‐choice learning approaches on visitor knowledge, attitudes and conservation behaviour

A Review of the Welfare Impact on Pinnipeds of Plastic Marine Debris

To act or to react? The role of responsiveness in corporate social performance disclosure in preventing plastic pollution in the travel and tourism sector

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