TY - JOUR
T1 - Water users' attitudes towards fish-protection screens
T2 - a case study from Australia's Murray-Darling (Baaka) Basin
AU - Nayeem, Tahmid
AU - Pawsey, Nick
AU - Baumgartner, Lee
AU - Sexton, Amie
AU - Boys, Craig
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by Charles Sturt University [grant number Leverage Funding/RM102709]; NSW Department of Primary Industries [grant number Screen for streams/RM 102709].
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand Inc.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Fish-protection screens for water pumps and channels can conserve fish populations and deliver operational benefits to irrigators. However, the uptake of fish screens is mixed, and there is limited evidence concerning irrigator attitudes towards this technology. The current study addresses this knowledge deficit through 26 semi-structured in-depth interviews with irrigators and other associated water users. The purpose of this study was to understand pump screening practices and experiences, the current level of awareness of fish-screening options, attitudes towards potential environmental and financial benefits, overall intentions to install fish screens, the role of attitudes and other factors in impacting these intentions, and critical fish screening knowledge gaps and communication preferences. Drawing on the theoretical framework of Diffusion of Innovations (DOI), the study identified that irrigators have low awareness of native fish loss and the benefits of fish screening. However, they are interested in learning more about the economic, social, and environmental benefits of fish screen adoption. Customised communications and education programs are needed to increase intentions to install fish screens in Australia.
AB - Fish-protection screens for water pumps and channels can conserve fish populations and deliver operational benefits to irrigators. However, the uptake of fish screens is mixed, and there is limited evidence concerning irrigator attitudes towards this technology. The current study addresses this knowledge deficit through 26 semi-structured in-depth interviews with irrigators and other associated water users. The purpose of this study was to understand pump screening practices and experiences, the current level of awareness of fish-screening options, attitudes towards potential environmental and financial benefits, overall intentions to install fish screens, the role of attitudes and other factors in impacting these intentions, and critical fish screening knowledge gaps and communication preferences. Drawing on the theoretical framework of Diffusion of Innovations (DOI), the study identified that irrigators have low awareness of native fish loss and the benefits of fish screening. However, they are interested in learning more about the economic, social, and environmental benefits of fish screen adoption. Customised communications and education programs are needed to increase intentions to install fish screens in Australia.
KW - constructivist grounded theory (CGT)
KW - diffusion of innovation (DOI)
KW - farmers’ attitudes
KW - fish loss
KW - Fish-protection screens
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85149374550&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1080/14486563.2023.2180097
DO - 10.1080/14486563.2023.2180097
M3 - Article
SN - 1448-6563
VL - 30
SP - 107
EP - 126
JO - Australasian Journal of Environmental Management
JF - Australasian Journal of Environmental Management
IS - 1
ER -
