Perceptions of coral in a coastal tourist town in Brazil

Almost nothing is known about how non-scientists in coastal communities perceive corals. This study investigated public perception at a coastal town in Brazil. Individuals were asked to respond to specific questions concerning their knowledge, perception, and behaviour regarding corals. Although more interviewees believed they knew what the photograph of a gorgonian was, the stony coral pictures were identified correctly more frequently. Interviewees sometimes thought that the gorgonian was a plant, whereas stony corals were frequently identified as sponges, sea urchins or stones. Interviewees related the word "coral" to words such as alive, sea, plant, rock, animal, hurt, calcareous and jewellery. Moreover, interviewees intended to buy or collect corals no matter whether they knew what they were. This study revealed that people living, working and holidaying in a coastal town in Brazil have a poor understanding of corals.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]