| dc.description.abstract | With the launch of the UN Ocean Decade, the value of inclusive approaches encouraging better stewardship and improving
the management of ocean resources has been increasingly advocated. Public engagement in marine issues through volunteering in marine conservation and science can be a tool to strengthen the connection to the ocean, stimulating behaviour change
and support for solutions that can mitigate human impacts on marine environments and resources. This study investigated,
through an international online survey, behavioural intentions to partake in marine volunteering among people with a vested
interest in marine tourism and recreation, conservation and research. Particular focus was given to drivers, barriers and enablers in marine volunteering. The participants (N=473) were interested in marine volunteering, driven mainly by ecocentric
motives, self-development, and personal well-being. Important barriers to marine volunteering included money and access,
with time and skills being secondary. While the participants were convinced they would participate in marine volunteering in
the future, they agreed that information and education, time, better access and incentives would enable participation. Previous volunteering experience resulted in stronger drivers to participate in marine volunteering, and perspectives also varied
according to demographic variables including age and educational background. The results of this study were used to guide
strategies for marine volunteer recruitment, highlighting the importance of well-designed outreach campaigns, inclusivity,
and partnerships to support marine volunteering as a positive form of public engagement in marine stewardship and science | en_US |
