Hear Our Voice: Scientific disputes… Farmer protests
Conference Contribution ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Media articles in 2016 and 2017 claim that the “Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is dead or dying”. Runoff from farming is touted as the major contributor and farmers are often portrayed as not doing enough to mitigate runoff to the GBR basin. However, results from a survey of 367 farmers about water quality shows that the majority of cane and cattle farmers in Northern Queensland consider minimising sediment run-off and/or nutrient loss as extremely important, or essential, to safeguarding the Great Barrier Reef. So why do farmers and scientists dispute that anyone is listening? Producer profiling (see, Figure 1) may help to explain barriers to communication and help to approach farmers about water quality issues. Shannon and Weaver’s communication model (1949) may help to guide communication disputes and protests about sediment and nutrient runoff into the GBR. This paper concludes with recommendations for improved communication between farmers and scientists.
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ECSA 57: Changing estauries, coasts and shelf systems - Diverse threats and opportunities
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19
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Perth, WA, Australia
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Estuarine & Coastal Sciences Association
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Perth, WA, Australia
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