Using behaviour change frameworks and Bayesian network modelling to support Marine biosecurity practices: A New South Wales waterways case study

Aquatic environments are at risk of pest and disease incursions that impact livelihood and food security. Globally, recreational boats may disseminate pests and diseases from larger to smaller waterways, and their movements and biosecurity practices are less regulated than commercial boats. This project contributes to the global evidence about interventions that can support marine environmental behaviour change by capturing the practices and beliefs of owners of small to medium, permanently moored recreational boats on the New South Wales waterways to identify strategies to minimise the risk of pest and disease incursions. A three-phase mixed methods approach was adopted, beginning with stakeholder mapping and followed by key informant interviews. A Behaviour Change Wheel framework was used to develop the questionnaire tool that targeted small to medium, permanently moored recreational vessel owners. Multiple Correspondence Analysis and Bayesian Network modelling were used to segment the respondent population to enable the development of tailored communication approaches. The interview and questionnaire findings suggested that there is limited understanding by and knowledge of vessel owners about the risk of marine disease incursions. The need for clearer communication channels and stronger partnerships between stakeholders, including government agencies and industry groups, was also highlighted. Several recommendations aimed at reducing disease incursion risk were developed, including tailoring communications to segmented vessel-owning populations to address specific barriers to practice adoption. Investing in stakeholder relationships and streamlining information channels were also recommended. Future work includes the implementation and evaluation of the impact of the implemented interventions on the uptake of biosecurity practices amongst small to medium recreational vessel owners, which has ramifications for the design of interventions that support pro-environmental behaviours globally.