33
knowledge, no studies have addressed tourists’ attitudes concerning participation in
conservation management.
The present study focuses on invasive common carp (Cyprinus carpio) management from the human dimension perspective. The invasive carp is one of the most
invasive species, and is nominated as one of “100 of the world’s worst invasive alien
species” (Kopf et al. 2017; Lowe et al. 2000), since the carp damages the native
ecosystem by consuming organisms that are a food resource for native species
(Gilligan and Rayner 2007; Morgan and Hicks 2013). Thus, recent conservation
literature paid attention to its management (Marshall et al. 2018; Thresher et al.
2014; Uchii et al. 2014); however, social science research on this issue is limited—
for example, Morgan and Ho (2018). Interestingly, the carp is a domestic alien species in Japan—it is a native species on the main island, but non-native on some of
the small islands (e.g., Amami Oshima Island, which is our research site). Since few
people would recognize carp as an IAS in Japan, the sharing of ecological information could play an important role, as suggested by previous literature. Historically,
IAS management, including invasive carp, was greatly dependent on chemical and
biological methods (Zastrow 2018). Thus, our research contributes to the existing
body of knowledge on effective invasive carp management through application of
human dimension approaches (Jacobson and Duff 1998; McNeely 2001).
3.2 Study Background and Methods
3.2.1 Research Site
Our research site, Amami Oshima Island, Japan, is part of the Nansei Islands in the
southern Japanese archipelago (28°19′N, 128°22′E). The island has the Japan’s second largest mangrove forest, which plays an important role in biodiversity conservation (Lugo and Snedaker 1974; Polidoro et al. 2010). In particular, there are
endangered and endemic species, such as Ryukyu Ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis
ryukyuensis), around the mangrove forest (Kishino and Yonezawa 2013; Nishida
1988). Because of its rich biodiversity, the part of the island that includes the mangrove forest is a national park that is expected to become a Natural World Heritage
Site. However, the island has substantial IAS concerns, and has been requested by
UNESCO, through its designation process, to enhance its IAS management. Local
government has attempted to remove common carp so as to improve its management in rivers (Fig. 3.1); however, the success has been limited because of resource
constraints, among others.
Nature-based tourism is an important industry on the island. To date, most tourists have enjoyed nature-based and eco-friendly tours, such as canoeing in the mangrove forest and viewing wildlife, in spite of the potential invasive carp impacts on
the ecosystem. The canoe tour attracts over 30,000 tourists annually (Kagoshima
Prefecture 2019). It is the second most popular recreational activity in the island
3 How to Engage Tourists in Invasive Carp Removal: Application of a Discrete Choice…
knowledge, no studies have addressed tourists’ attitudes concerning participation in
conservation management.
The present study focuses on invasive common carp (Cyprinus carpio) management from the human dimension perspective. The invasive carp is one of the most
invasive species, and is nominated as one of “100 of the world’s worst invasive alien
species” (Kopf et al. 2017; Lowe et al. 2000), since the carp damages the native
ecosystem by consuming organisms that are a food resource for native species
(Gilligan and Rayner 2007; Morgan and Hicks 2013). Thus, recent conservation
literature paid attention to its management (Marshall et al. 2018; Thresher et al.
2014; Uchii et al. 2014); however, social science research on this issue is limited—
for example, Morgan and Ho (2018). Interestingly, the carp is a domestic alien species in Japan—it is a native species on the main island, but non-native on some of
the small islands (e.g., Amami Oshima Island, which is our research site). Since few
people would recognize carp as an IAS in Japan, the sharing of ecological information could play an important role, as suggested by previous literature. Historically,
IAS management, including invasive carp, was greatly dependent on chemical and
biological methods (Zastrow 2018). Thus, our research contributes to the existing
body of knowledge on effective invasive carp management through application of
human dimension approaches (Jacobson and Duff 1998; McNeely 2001).
3.2 Study Background and Methods
3.2.1 Research Site
Our research site, Amami Oshima Island, Japan, is part of the Nansei Islands in the
southern Japanese archipelago (28°19′N, 128°22′E). The island has the Japan’s second largest mangrove forest, which plays an important role in biodiversity conservation (Lugo and Snedaker 1974; Polidoro et al. 2010). In particular, there are
endangered and endemic species, such as Ryukyu Ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis
ryukyuensis), around the mangrove forest (Kishino and Yonezawa 2013; Nishida
1988). Because of its rich biodiversity, the part of the island that includes the mangrove forest is a national park that is expected to become a Natural World Heritage
Site. However, the island has substantial IAS concerns, and has been requested by
UNESCO, through its designation process, to enhance its IAS management. Local
government has attempted to remove common carp so as to improve its management in rivers (Fig. 3.1); however, the success has been limited because of resource
constraints, among others.
Nature-based tourism is an important industry on the island. To date, most tourists have enjoyed nature-based and eco-friendly tours, such as canoeing in the mangrove forest and viewing wildlife, in spite of the potential invasive carp impacts on
the ecosystem. The canoe tour attracts over 30,000 tourists annually (Kagoshima
Prefecture 2019). It is the second most popular recreational activity in the island
3 How to Engage Tourists in Invasive Carp Removal: Application of a Discrete Choice…