Place Meanings Ascribed to Marine Settings: The Case of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Abstract

Using data collected from in-depth interviews of recreational visitors to Australia's Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, place-related meanings ascribed to a marine environment are described. The usefulness of using symbolic interactionism to understand the creation of these meanings is also assessed. Ten meaning-themes emerged (aesthetic beauty, lack of built infrastructure/pristine environment, abundance and diversity of coral and other wildlife, unique natural resource, facilitation of desired recreation activity, safety and accessibility, curiosity and exploration, sense of connection to the natural world, escape from the everyday, and experiences with family and friends), and evidence supporting the utility of symbolic interactionism was identified. Using these findings, researchers may be better able to identify place meanings and the processes that create them.

Keywords:

• Great Barrier Reef
• marine environment
• place meaning
• symbolic interaction

David Scott and Scott Shafer of Texas A&M University are thanked for their personal assistance and contributions at earlier stages of this research.