Ocean literacy survey: headline findings
Headline findings from an online survey with the public in Scotland on the topic of ocean literacy - exploring the public's understanding of the marine environment. It is part of a wider project covering England and Wales.
Marine destinations
Of those respondents who had visited the marine environment in the past 12 months, the places most visited for leisure were coastal/seaside towns (93%) and sandy beaches (92%). Seagrass meadows (9%) and salt marshes (15%) were the least visited (Figure 33).
Q26: Thinking about the last 12 months, how often on average, if at al, have you spent your leisure time in the following marine environments?
Unweighted base: Where visited in the last 12 months: 1,755
| Type | More than once a week | Once a week | Once or twice a month | Once every 2-3 months | Once or twice in the last 12 months | Not in the last 12 months | Never | % at least once in last 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal / seaside towns | 22% | 4% | 16% | 20% | 31% | 6% | 1% | 93% |
| Sandy beaches | 9% | 7% | 19% | 21% | 35% | 6% | 1% | 92% |
| Rocky shores | 7% | 4% | 14% | 16% | 34% | 18% | 6% | 75% |
| Shingle/stony beaches | 6% | 4% | 13% | 16% | 34% | 20% | 6% | 73% |
| Sand dunes | 3% | 3% | 10% | 14% | 31% | 26% | 11% | 61% |
| Coastal cliffs | 3% | 3% | 9% | 14% | 30% | 28% | 12% | 59% |
| Open sea | 5% | 2% | 5% | 8% | 18% | 41% | 20% | 38% |
| Mudflats | 2% | 1% | 3% | 4% | 9% | 33% | 46% | 19% |
| Salt marshes | 1% | 1% | 3% | 3% | 7% | 36% | 45% | 15% |
| Seagrass meadows | 2% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 4% | 29% | 57% | 9% |
Dimensions
- Access, experience, and proximity
- Behaviour
- Knowledge
- Awareness
Whilst 34% said they hadn't visited any designated or specific types of sites in the last 12 months, 18% said they recalled visiting Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, followed by National trail or National Coastal Path (15%) and National and Local Nature Reserves (15%) (Figure 34).
Q35: Thinking about the last 12 months, do you recall any visits to marine environments being to the following?
Unweighted base: Where visited in the last 12 months: 1,755
Dimensions
- Access, experience, and proximity
- Behaviour
- Knowledge
- Awareness
Contact
Email: socialresearch@gov.scot
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