The main findings of this study of interviewees visiting several Delaware Bay beaches during the shorebird spring migration stopover period are; 1) people were overwhelmingly supportive of protection of and research on shorebirds and crabs. 2) visitor type, gender, and age influenced the perceptions of people 3) perceptions of the importance of resources increased with age of interviewees, and 4) women generally rated the importance of protection and research higher than did men (except for fishing). These will be discussed below.
Influence of visitor type, gender, and age on perceptions: educational needs and approaches
Visitor type was an important aspect of investigation because the data from the interviews did not support the initial hypothesis that people mainly came to these shorebird beaches to watch the shorebirds, or even the shorebirds and crabs. Nearly 40% came for other reasons. Regardless of the way the question was asked (open-ended, or choice), about the same percentage of people fell into each visitor type. Having questions addressing the same issue on different parts of the survey, and in different formats assures the reliability of the answers. The fact that so many people came to the shorebird foraging beaches for other reasons indicated that there is room for management of these beaches to enhance these other qualities. Beach stewards, for example, are largely trained to address information about the shorebirds and horseshoe crabs, but could be provided with information relevant to the other reasons people come to the beaches. Managers are increasingly aware that understanding the interests of users, and involving them in the planning process is key to obtaining support, and in some cases, contributing to conservation of the resources (Foster et al. 2013). Further, although perhaps less “green” than other spaces, beaches are open, wild places that fulfill the same need to have an experience in nature (Labib et al. 2020).
Perceptions of research and protection of resources were influenced by visitor type, gender, and age. In general: 1) interviewees who came to see shorebirds, crabs, or both were older than people who came for fishing, other recreation, or tranquility or scenery, 2) interviewees who came strictly for the shorebirds were less likely to be first-time visitors, and more likely to visit other Delaware Bay beaches than others, 3) older interviewees rated research and protection of shorebirds and crabs higher than younger interviewees, and 4) women rated research and protections higher than men, and they rated the importance of some resources higher than men. These bear repeating because these factors (age, gender, visitor type) influenced nearly all of the information and ratings of the study. There were no differences among visitors, however, in whether they thought shorebirds and crabs should receive special attention. These data provide information that both characterizes the people coming to the Delaware Bay beaches during the shorebird stopover period, but also can be used in management and educational programs.
Gender and age differences in perceptions are not unusual (Hitchcock 2001; Lieske et al. 2014), and the focus of this paper is on these factors only as they relate to future planning and management. The average group size in the study was 2, and included both same sex and opposite-sex “couples.” The gender differences were not likely to be due to biases in the selection of interviewees, since males and females were interviewed in about equal numbers, and in many cases the interviewees were accompanied by their spouse or companion. Couples were approached and the initial request for an interview was addressed to them together, and one person usually said yes and answered all the questions. When the second member of a group wanted to answer, we declined to interview them, but did discuss the project with them after the interview. Only one person within any couple was interviewed, and their answer was recorded, even if their companion disagreed with their answer.
The differences as a function of age and gender, however, can be useful in developing educational plans and management objectives. For example, information programs (brochures, posters, internet information and approaches) can be directed specifically at different age and gender groups. The higher rating of the importance of protection and research given by older interviewees suggests a need to reach younger people, and may also portend a lack of future support for research and protection of shorebirds, crabs and the beach. It suggests that managers and conservationists should be particularly attentive to the needs of younger beach visitors, and to members of the public in general. It may also suggest that older visitors to these beaches, who have been coming longer should be encouraged to work with younger members of their communities and assume the role of “elders” imparting information to the younger generations (Flood et al. 2007; Bohnee et al. 2011; Boyd and Furgal 2019; Burger et al. in press). Information and tools provided to these “elders” could then enhance their effectiveness.
Finally, we mention in passing that over 80% of the interviewees were white, and that this in itself provides an environmental justice issue – Why aren’t the Delaware Bay beaches being used by other ethnic groups? Clearly the use of these beaches needs to be broadened (Hitchcock 2001). Environmental justice does not just apply to the undue exposure of low-income or minority communities to chemicals (although this is clearly important, Brulle and Pellow 2006; Gochfeld and Burger 2011), but to the unequal access to positive benefits, such as green and wild environments (Kondo et al. 2018; Labib et al. 2020). Part of environmental management and conservation of the shorebird beaches on Delaware Bay should include involvement of the broad range of stakeholders in the region (Burger et al. 2008; EPA 2007, 2009).
Protection and research on shorebirds and crabs
Regardless of the type of visitor, overall protection for research on shorebirds were rated very high, although research and protection of crabs was rated slightly lower (Table 7). This is a key finding because it suggests that interviewees were supportive of current management and conservation, and wanted to see these continue and be improved. Further, when asked if they thought birds and crabs should receive special protection, over 80% of all visitors (except fisherman), regardless of reason for coming to the beach, thought that birds and crabs should receive special protection (Table 2). That perceptions of the importance of research and protection was consistently confirmed in several different questions attests to its validity, and usefulness in discussions with governmental and non-governmental agencies. There is widespread support for continued protection –for shorebirds generally, not just the federally threatened red knot. While red knot is clearly in danger, some other shorebirds are also facing drastic declines, especially species that also use Delaware Bay (Brown et al. 2017). Preservation of the foraging beaches and other intertidal habitats is an important key aspect of the conservation strategy for Delaware Bay shorebirds, as it is elsewhere.
Despite the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, there is still a lack of protection in many wetlands and intertidal habitats (Foster et al. 2013). These zones are the transition zone between marine and terrestrial systems, and are becoming increasingly important in being the first line of defense against severe storms and sea level rise (IPCC 2014). Perhaps understanding stakeholder views, and those of users of specific beaches can be used to foster sustainability both of beach tourism (e.g. Chen and Teng 2016), but also of the resources themselves (Foster et al. 2014).
Implications for conservation and management
The overall goal of the Delaware Bay Shorebird Project is to protect and enhance the populations of red knots and other shorebirds migrating through Delaware Bay within the context of a healthy, complex ecosystem (Niles et al. 2008, 2009). Migratory shorebirds, however, depend upon a substantial population of spawning horseshoe crabs (ASMFC 1998, 2009). Other species on the food chain of Delaware Bay also depend on the eggs and larvae of horseshoe crabs, including many invertebrates, scavengers, small fish, and predatory fish and birds. The shorebirds and crabs clearly need extensive management to preserve the system (Niles et al. 2008, 2009; USFWS 2014a, 2014b), and part of the management has to include visitors who come to the bay to observe the bird, as well as the local communities.
The data show that there are differences in perceptions as a function of visitor type, age and gender, and this information can be used in an education program that includes internet communications that appeal to younger visitors to the bay, especially those with children. The ratings for both research and conservation of shorebirds and crabs were quite high, even though there were age and gender differences. This suggests strong support for these programs (Table 9). Structurally, education and community involvement in management and development of rules and regulations are critical to the success of the Delaware Bay Shorebird Project. The interviewees, regardless of the reasons they came to the bay, support conservation and research with both shorebirds and crabs, and this could be a basis for more involvement in management and conservation.
Table 9
Management and planning recommendations to improve the already successful conservation program for shorebirds on Delaware Bay. The recommendations follow from the data on perceptions of those interviewed, and those of the interviewers.
Recommendation
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Implementation suggestions
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Continue current management
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Since there is strong support for current management, these measures should be continued (logistics and funding)
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Provide beach stewards, normally trained to address information about the shorebirds and horseshoe crabs, with information relevant to the other reasons people come to the beaches.
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Use information from a full range of stakeholders using the Delaware Bay beaches to develop information and approaches that apply to all the groups (not just those interested in red knots, shorebirds, or crabs)
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Develop information programs directed specifically at different age and gender groups.
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Develop age- and gender specific brochures, posters, internet information and approaches, with the different age and gender groups
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Involvement a broad range of stakeholders from the region in information, education and management of shorebirds (and crabs).
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While the interviewees represented a range of age, gender and visitor types, there was little ethnic diversity, and efforts should be made to improve access by minority and low-income local residents.
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Involve local community leaders, representatives and state personnel directly in management
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Perceptions of local leaders can be solicited, along with involvement directly in management and conservation.
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Understanding of stakeholder views should be used to foster sustainability.
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The perceptions of the visitor types, advantages and disadvantages, and conservation suggestions can be used to improve the beach experience for both shorebirds and beach-goers, as well as the total Delaware Bay ecosystem.
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Convene a Delaware Bay group to improve the shorebird-crab relationship, the whole Bay ecosystem, as well as the visitor (and resident) experiences
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Develop a committee of conservationists, birders, fishermen, recreationists regulators, government officials and local residents to work toward ecosystem improvement that includes a diversity of stakeholders and addresses environmental justice.
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Both the increase in beach tourism, and the strong support of beach tourists as indicated by the interviewees in this study, suggest that there is a need for practical, acceptable, strong, sustainable policies. Clearly increases in the number of people to these beaches would detract from the interviewees’ enjoyment of the beach, and these views need to be taken into account (see Chen and Teng). In other places, the importance of the perceptions of visitors to beaches have played a key role in developing management strategies (Antos et al. 2006; Ballantyne et al. 2009; Chen and Teng 2016; Harris et al. 2020), although often these deal with protective structures on beaches (e.g. dunes, replenishment, hard engineered structures, Charbonneau et al. 2019).
While Table 9 summarizes our recommendations that flow directly from the data, we suggest another that could use these data and others to improve the already very successful Delaware Bay Shorebird Project, including expanding it to include the complex food chain that begins with horseshoe crabs. The Project has been successful in providing additional high quality habitat, and admirably managed the stewardship program with the result of supporting the majority of the red knots using Delaware Bay as a stopover (Dey et al. 2020). However, it is essential to increase population of spawning horseshoe crabs and the number of knots, and improve the overall ecosystem. We suggest that a group of people intimately concerned about the health of both the ecosystem (including shorebirds) and the experiences of beach-goers be convened to discuss ways to improve both conservation of the Delaware Bay ecosystem and the conservation of the visitors’ experiences. Such a group might include conservationists, birders, other recreationists, regulators, government officials, and local residents. Such a group might use the current data and their own experiences to aid in the management of the Delaware Bay beaches, and the Delaware Bay Shorebird Project.