Perception of risk of the wave overtopping hazard and associated coping strategies of rock-based fishers and other recreational users of coastal rock platforms in Victoria

© 2016 Dr. Terisha Veeran-ColtonFatalities on coastal rock platforms in Australia over the past two decades have remained a continued and unabated issue. Rock-based fishers are particularly at risk. Whilst various intervention strategies have been developed and adopted by safety organisations, significant declines in rock-based fisher fatalities are yet to be observed. A majority of fisher fatalities have been attributed to drowning following being swept into the ocean by a wave. The wave overtopping hazard is thus a significant threat to fishers’ safety. However, little is known regarding fishers’ risk perception and coping in relation to the wave overtopping hazard. Coastal rock platforms are frequented by various recreational users other than rock-based fishers, who are also vulnerable to this hazard. This research explored Victorian rock based fishers’ process of protection motivation through examining their cognitive threat and coping appraisals. Other recreational users’ threat and coping appraisals were also examined in order to provide insights into their perceptions and behaviours. A total of thirty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted with Victorian rock-based fishers. Photo-elicitation interviews exploring visual threat and coping appraisals were conducted with fishers as well as with twenty-four other recreational users who participated in intercept interviews. A qualitative application of Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) was adopted in the research which provided a useful framework for examining fishers and other recreational users’ threat and coping appraisal in relation to the wave overtopping hazard. Fishers’ threat appraisal was found to be influenced by factors such as their past experiences with the hazard, family responsibilities, physical vulnerability and environmental conditions. The thrill or sensation of catching fish was found in certain instances, to negatively influence threat appraisal, resulting in little or no protection motivation and the adoption of maladaptive coping behaviours. It was generally found that fishers adopted various coping responses consistent with those recommended by safety agencies. However, the reason for adopting these was experience not education. A ritual of avoidance was also noted, presenting a new context for this practice in recreational rock-based fishing. Differences in visual threat and coping appraisals were noted between fishers and other recreational users in the study. No evidence was found to suggest that other recreational users are motivated to protect themselves in the same ways as rock-based fishers. Broader psychosocial themes which emerged in the study include, experiential learning, social control and group and personal norms. These findings provide an important basis for rock-based fishing safety policy recommendations as well as safety recommendations for other recreational users