John Rumney

Eye to Eye Marine Encounters

Port Douglas

MARINE RESEARCH TOURISM IN AUSTRALIA

Dr. Peter Wood

Researcher

James Cook University

What is marine research tourism?

While efforts to exploit space as the “final frontier‟ for tourism continue, it is clear thatthe penultimate frontier - the marine realm - still offers much untapped potential.Cater & Cater, 2007, p 2

What is marine research tourism?

Marine research tourism (MRT) can be defined as marine ecotourism where:

• Marine research is an important part of the attraction

• Non-specialist pay for a volunteer vacation or conservation holiday to help marine wildlife researchers or managers in environmental field research; and

• Contribute financially to that research (Ellis, 2003; Benson, 2005; Coghlan 2007; Wood & Rumney, 2009).

Companies that conduct MRT include; the Earthwatch Institute; Coral Cay Conservation; Operational Wallacea; Conservation Volunteers Australia, Frontier, Global Vision International, Eye to Eye Marine Encounters, Blue Ventures, and DIVO.

MARINE RESEARCH TOURISM IN AUSTRALIA

The presentation will cover:

• The distribution and character of marine research tourism worldwide and in Australia

• Driving forces for marine research tourism

• Benefits of marine research tourism

• Tourist motivations of marine research tourism

• Issues with marine research tourism

• Opportunities for marine research tourism

Source: John Rumney – Eye to Eye Marine Encounters

Distribution and character of marine research tourism worldwide

• Marine and terrestrial research tourism has developed from a handful of localised operators in the late 1960s and early 1970s to at least twenty well known regional and globally focused operators (Cousins, 2007; Ellis, 2003b; Morse, 1997)

• Majority of global operators are based in United Kingdom and USA (Cousins, 2007; Ellis, 2003b; Lorimer, 2008; Whatmore, 2008)

• Australia has a majority of small and independent operators

Distribution of marine research tourism worldwide

Destination region No. Destination country

Central America and the Caribbean 34

Belize (n=8), Bahamas (n=5), Costa Rica (n=4), Honduras (n=3), Trinidad (n=3), Baja (n=2), Ecuador (n=2), Mexico (n=2), Caribbean (n=1), Cuba (n=1), Suriname (n=1), Tobago (n=1)

Australia 30 See Figure 4

Southern Africa 19South Africa (n=6), Madagascar (n=4), Mozambique (n=2), Seychelles (n=2), Kenya (n=2), Tanzania (n=2), Cape Verde (n=1)

Asia 9Cambodia (n=2), Indonesia (n=2), Malaysia (n=1), Oman and UAE (n=1), Philippines (n=2), Sri Lanka (n=1)

Canada 7 British Columbia (n=6), North West Passage (n=1)

Mediterranean 7 Egypt (n=1), Greece (n=2), Italy (n=2)

Pacific Ocean 6 Fiji (n=2), Galapagos Islands (n=1), Midway (n=2), Pacific Ocean (n=1)

Atlantic Ocean 5 Atlantic Ocean (n=4), The Azores (n=1)

United Kingdom 5 Scotland (n=4), England (n=1)

South America 3 Brazil (n=2), Uruguay (n=1)

North pole 1 Departs from Russia

Total 126

Distribution and character of marine research tourism in Australia

• 35 MRT Operators and 126 MRT products

– 15 Large operators (e.g. Coral Cay Coral Cay Conservation, Frontier, The Oceanic Society) from UK and/or USA with 91MRT products

– 20 mostly small operators (e.g. Cape York Turtle Rescue, Lakes Explorer) in Australia with 35 products

– Mostly casual or seasonal. Only a few operate all year (e.g. Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre, Conservation Volunteers Australia)

– Mostly unaware of each other

• Major driving forces are an increasing number of educated, active and environmentally responsible tourists.

• Major attraction factor is Australia’s marine wildlife and other natural marine assets.

• The greatest issues are; the effort required caring for the safety and interests of the tourists, and the collaboration required between key stakeholders.

• The greatest constraints are potentially unsafe ocean conditions and the unpredictability of locating wildlife for marine research

Driving forces, FACTORS, ISSUES, CONSTRAINTS for marine research tourism

Marine research benefits

1. Increased funding and other resources for marine research

2. Increased and faster monitoring, data collection and processing

3. Increased community ownership, support and capacity in marine management and research

4. Increased speed, spatial range and effectiveness of research

5. Better access to remote locations

6. Co-management and funding of resources

7. Diversity of tourist worldviews and skills that can assist the research process

BENEFITS OF marine research tourism

Tourist and community benefits

• Tourists feel they have contributed to something important like significant marine conservation, science, and/or discovery

• Increased community awareness and stewardship of research, management and conservation issues

• Exceeds the tourist’s expectations with respect to level of involvement with the marine environment and researchers

• Professional development of tourists

Source: John Rumney – Eye to Eye Marine Encounters

BENEFITS OF marine research tourism

• Potential marine research tourists include;

– Marine wildlife tourists, repeat marine research tourists, ecotourists, scientists, volunteers, adventure tourists and SCUBA divers.

• For Australia, they are more likely to be from;

– Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Scandinavia and France.

Source: John Rumney – Eye to Eye Marine Encounters

WHO ARE MARINE RESEARCH TOURISTS?

Interest in different MRT products is strongly influenced by

• Nature documentary viewing

• Snorkelling and SCUBA diving experience

• Age group

• Gender

• Volunteerism or holiday making focus

Source: John Rumney – Eye to Eye Marine Encounters

PRODUCT INTEREST IN BY marine research tourists

Source: Marine Discovery Centre

• No regular nature documentary watching experience or previous snorkel experience indicates no or low interest in marine research tourism

• The greater the person’s marine skills and experience (e.g. snorkelling, diving, education), the more interested they are in marine research tourism

• Less specialised and less active (i.e. holiday minded) tourist products are preferred by more potential marine research tourists

• These products have a larger potential market

• However, this type of market places extra pressures on marine tourism operators to cater to their needs

PRODUCT INTEREST IN BY marine research tourists

• Based on survey of 311 potential marine research tourists

• The top five benefits preferred by potential marine research tourists are;

1. The opportunity to explore marine phenomena and discover new things2. Learning from marine researchers3. The reputation and experience of marine researchers4. The experience of marine researchers5. The opportunity to have fun

• The bottom five benefits preferred by potential marine research tourists are;

1. An offshore boating or sailing experience2. Social interaction3. Pre-requisite skill and knowledge4. A high level of self sufficiency5. A high number of training days

benefits sought by marine research tourists

Source: John Rumney – Eye to Eye Marine Encounters

Source: John Rumney – Eye to Eye Marine Encounters

Main marine research focus Total Tropical Temperate Other

Tropical coral reefs and associated marine wildlife (e.g. sharks, whales, turtles and fish) 42 42

Turtles (e.g. Green, olive ridley, hawksbill and flat back) 21 18 3

Whales (e.g. Blue, grey, humpback) 13 1 12

Dolphins (e.g. Spinner, tuxuci, bottlenose) 8 3 5

Sharks (e.g. Tiger, basking and hammerhead) 7 6 1

Ship wrecks 6 1 5

Both whales and dolphins 4 1 3

Sea birds (e.g. crested terns, shearwaters, boodies,) 3 3

Temperate reefs 3 3

Deep ocean and/or undersea volcanoes 3 3

Mangroves 2 2

Whale sharks 2 2

Great white shark 2 2

Penguins 2 2

Crocodiles 1 1 Offshore island marsupials (e.g. 'mala, mice, bandicoots’) plus marine life such as turtles and dolphins 1 1

Manatees 1 1

Manta rays 1 1

Open ocean/various 1 1

Prehistoric human artefacts 1 1

Sea Otters 1 1

North pole science and discovery 1 1

Total 126 79 43 4

POPULAR MARINE RESEARCH PROJECTS for MRT

Source: John Rumney – Eye to Eye Marine Encounters

Based on 126 marine research tourism web sites - worldwide

Source: John Rumney – Eye to Eye Marine Encounters

LIKELY

Charismatic marine wildlifeCoral reef marine researchMarine research with conservation focusEndangered species and/or habitatsIsland based marine researchMarine archaeology (e.g. Ship wrecks)Coastal based marine researchVessel based marine researchMarine survey programsBird watchingSeasonal migration and breeding

MAYBE

Tidal poolsMangrove forestsKelp forestsClimate change projectsDeep sea submersibleFisheriesAquarium researchUnderwater laboratoryImpacts of marine pontoonsCoastal estuariesMarine anthropology

SUITABLE MARINE PROGRAMS FOR TOURISTS

Based on discussions with 35 marine managers, researchers, and tour operators

Given two days of appropriate training, training personnel, training methods, equipment and other necessary resources. Can volunteer tourists, without prior experience, satisfactorily assist with the following activities?

SUITABLE MARINE ACTIVITIES FOR TOURISTS

LIKELY

Use binocularsAssist with supplies and other logisticsUse pen and paper to record dataAssist with habitat restoration

MAYBE NOT

Undertake habitat observationMeasuring wildlifeUse video and camerasCollect sea surface dataUse species identification chartsAssist with interpretative signage and publicationsUse computersUndertake Reef Check surveys

Based on discussions with 35 marine managers, researchers, and tour operators

Given two days of appropriate training, training personnel, training methods, equipment and other necessary resources. Can volunteer tourists, without prior experience, satisfactorily assist with the following activities?

SUITABLE MARINE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES FOR TOURISTS

LIKELY

Use binocularsAssist with supplies and other logisticsUse pen and paper to record dataAssist with habitat restoration

MAYBE NOT

Undertake habitat observationMeasuring wildlifeUse video and camerasCollect sea surface dataUse species identification chartsAssist with interpretative signage and publicationsUse computersUndertake Reef Check surveys

Based on discussions with 35 marine managers, researchers, and tour operators

Source: John Rumney – Eye to Eye Marine Encounters

Source: John Rumney – Eye to Eye Marine Encounters

Issues with marine research tourism

• Research tourism participants often seek substantial personal benefits from their volunteer tourist experience (Henderson, 1981)

• Volunteer expedition leaders are typically more focused on their research rather than the interests of the tourist (Coghlan, 2008)

• The marine tour operator may be too busy and not suitably trained to effectively support the interests of marine researchers (Musso and Inglis, 1998)

• Environmental managers and scientists can have very different perceptions and expectations regarding the role of science in managing wildlife tourism (Rodger & Moore, 2004)

• Conservation organisations may also seek to promote conservation outcomes from MRT ventures but may not appreciate the business requisites of the marine tourism operator (Cousins, 2007; Vaughn, 2000)

• To form partnerships, it is recommended that the views of all key stakeholders be understood and satisfactorily addressed (Cousins, 2007; Coghlan, 2007; Cuthill, 2000; Musso and Inglis,1998)

Stakeholder views that are well documented in the literature

Stakeholder views that are not well documented in the literature

• Marine research tourism (MRT) may compete with marine researchers and managers for traditional marine research investment

• Marine research tourism may focus on popular science at the expense of research that focuses on more important and less popular research priorities

• Environmental conservation organisations could use MRT to influence marine management and research agendas

• Some marine management agencies may be suspicious of an independent research capability

• Many marine managers, researchers and tour operators are unaware or sceptical of the stated benefits of MRT for themselves and tourists

Issues with marine research tourism

MARINE ECOTOURISM COMPANIES AND marine research tourism

Can MRT be used to successfully diversify marine tourism in Australia?

Source: John Rumney – Eye to Eye Marine Encounters

2

MARINE ECOTOURISM COMPANIES AND marine research tourism

Can MRT be used to effectively compete with international marine tourism attractions?

Source: John Rumney – Eye to Eye Marine Encounters

3

Government involvement in marine research tourism

Should MRT ventures undertake popular marine science that does not address current Government marine research or management priorities?

Source: John Rumney – Eye to Eye Marine Encounters

6

• The potential for increased opportunities and benefits to Aboriginal Australians is clearly identified by key stakeholders

• Environmental conservation organisations and marine education societies could play an advocate, service provision and coordination role

• Academic publications and the involvement of marine research agencies are very important

• Increased academic publications or conference presentations be an incentive for governments to be further involved in MRT

OPPORTUNITIES FOR marine research tourism

• How can the benefits from marine research tourism be increased?

• Development of accredited marine research tourism guide role that is recognised by marine tourism, research, management and conservation parties

– Reduce the marine researcher’s involvement to look after the tourist – Reduce health and safety, and public liability issues. – Support the workload of the marine tour operator to support marine research – Improve the tourist and marine researcher’s experience

Opportunities for marine research tourism

A COORDINATED STRATEGIC PLAN FOR AUSTRALIAN MRT

Suggestions for a coordinated strategic plan to develop MRT in Australia

Goal: Address and resolve the concerns of marine managers, researchers and tour operators

Objectives

• Increase the recognition of MRT benefits by these stakeholders

• Engage marine research agencies in the development and operation of MRT

• Seek reliable MRT research outcomes and academic publications

• Integrate MRT popular marine research with mainstream marine research programs

• Train, employ and create a career for marine research tourism guides

• Create a career for marine research tourism guides

• Develop best practice industry guidelines for marine research tourism

Fin

Any

Questions?