Multiplicação da conduta consciente em ambientes recifais: uma campanha educativa para a conservação dos recifes da praia do Bessa, João Pessoa-PB

Abstract

Environmental Education should be contribute to changes in society, which encourage the participation of individuals in the search for solutions and alternative ways for the problems faced in daily life. Thus, this study had as purpose, promote awareness campaigns with users (tourism agents and visitors) of the natural pools of Bessa Beach, João Pessoa - PB regarding the practice of conscious behavior. In this study, we used the quantitative and qualitative methodologies as a base, the action research method being the main one. In order to structure the campaigns' actions, we sought to know what guidelines the companies passed on to customers before and during the tour. The campaigns occurred between November of 2019 and March of 2020, whose awareness activities were carried out with tourism agents from five companies that provide tours to the reefs, as well as with the clients of these companies that visit these environments. In both locations, we used illustrative materials containing information about local biodiversity, coral vulnerability conditions and guidelines for conscientious conduct. We also used the Instagram profile @coraleucuido. During the actions, visitors and staff of the companies were encouraged to access the social media profile, where we shared 24 posts involving topics on the health conditions of the reefs and the propagation of the educational campaign. According to the visitors, most of the instructions given to them during the purchase of the tour consisted of how to handle the kayak and/or Stand up (76.0%), however no information on reef care is provide. The analysis of the campaign's efficiency revealed that 92.86% of the tourism agents considered that the actions developed improved their work, since they provide complete information about the reefs. 78.57% of the visitors consider the actions relevant and 4.76% affirm that they are indifferent for the moment of their tour, in this case, in particular, it is observed that we need to intensify campaigns. The information most absorbed by them was behavioral (36.0%), followed by environmental (34.0%) and biological content (30.0%). Instagram proved to be a great dissemination tool since it reached more than 29.000 profiles, 3.592 likes and 50 comments. These data shows the significance of carrying out environmental education actions in environments that go beyond the walls of educational institutions, providing long-term changes in attitudes oriented towards environmental ethics and citizenship.