The Social and Economic Long Term Monitoring Program (SELTMP) 2013: The Great Barrier Reef National Survey

[Extract] EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A nationally representative online survey of 2,002 randomly selected Australians was conducted in 2013 (1,002 individuals in March/April and 1,000 in September). •The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is Australia's most inspiring landmark (amongst all the attractions tested in this research). More than 90% of respondents listed the GBR as 'inspiring' during the September survey. •The strongest associations with the GBR are overwhelmingly positive (>80% of responses): beauty, coral and fish are amongst the most common associations. •The vast majority of Australians either want to visit the GBR in the future, or have done so already. Approximately 44% of respondents have visited the GBR, while approximately half of respondents have not yet visited but would like to one day. •When unprompted, respondents think pollution, climate change and people are the three biggest threats to the GBR. •When provided with a list of threats, respondents think that climate change, marine debris and agricultural runoff are the three biggest threats to the GBR. •Respondents are proud of the GBR's World Heritage status. •More than 85% of respondents in the September survey agreed that they "feel proud the GBR is a World Heritage Area." •There is a widespread responsibility to protect the GBR, although individual responsibility is less than the collective responsibility •More than 80% of respondents in the September survey agree that "it is the responsibility of all Australians to protect the GBR" while 63% believe it is their own responsibility to protect the GBR. •The GBR is part of how respondents identity themselves as Australians. •74% of respondents in the September survey agree that "the GBR is part of my Australian identity.