Communicating Australian Marine Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are widely used to support biodiversity conservation and provide ecological, social, and economic benefits, yet communicating their purpose and outcomes to public audiences remains challenging. This study tested whether closely matched MPA information presented as a static infographic or scientist-presented video incorporating baited remote underwater video (BRUV) imagery influenced objective comprehension, perceived value, and perceived credibility. A total of 338 Australian adults were randomly assigned to view either format in an online survey. There was no clear evidence that communication format influenced any outcome (for example, comprehension: OR = 1.14, 95% CI [0.91, 1.44]). Environmental and social value were higher after viewing both formats, although the study did not include a no-exposure control. Qualitative responses indicated different perceived strengths and weaknesses across formats. Overall, the findings suggest that communication outcomes may depend more on how scientific information is designed and presented within a format than on format choice alone. This record provides access to the static infographics and scientist-presented video (visual stimulus) that were shown to surveyed individuals. Access to the raw survey data is restricted due to human ethics requirements. Please contact the listed responsible parties to discuss potential access arrangements.