Managing sea kayaking in Cinque Terre National Park: a pilot project

Transcription

1 Managing sea kayaking in Cinque Terre National Park: a pilot project HOW DO YOU MANAGE SEA KAYAKING IN YOUR MPA? JOIN THE WORKING GROUP Michele Barbieri Slide # 1 The MedPAN North project is cofunded by the European Regional Development Fund.

2 Introduction Nature-based tourism is one of the most rapidly advancing segments of the tourism industry Marine segments of tourism are growing even faster, in particular: fishing, scuba diving, sailing, motor cruising and sea kayaking there is a raising concern about negative impacts on the natural marine environment, particularly where these activities occur in sensitive marine environments Slide # 2

3 Introduction The qayaq or qajaq or kayak is the skin covered sea-going craft used by the Eskimos of the Arctic dating back to before AD500 there is speculation that they were used as far back as 2000BC. Slide # 3

4 Introduction Slide # 4

5 Introduction Sea kayaking generally consists of coastal paddling within 200m off the shore ensuring optimum viewing of flora, fauna and natural features such as beaches, caves, rock gardens and waterfalls, short walks to experience indigenous biodiversity and to view natural landscapes or site of historic and cultural significance Slide # 5

6 Introduction Meanwhile in Italy Slide # 6

7 Introduction Slide # 7

8 Introduction Slide # 8

9 Environmental Impacts Of Kayaking most marine reserves embrace a wide variety of non-consumptive activities. It is an important part of their business plan as they generate part of their operating budget potential problems can be particularly severe in highly popular and/or very sensitive marine reserves and poorly managed activities can cause significant damage Slide # 9

10 Environmental Impacts Of Kayaking Economic impacts are known since the 70s What about environmental impacts!?!. Slide # 10

11 Environmental Impacts Of Kayaking Ninety-one marine reserves or their equivalent (i.e. protected areas offering a high degree of protection from exploitation) from thirty-six countries were examined. Sixteen activities were identified and evaluated: catch and release angling, diving, snorkeling, swimming, boat mooring, anchoring, scientific research, jet skiing, kayaking, wildlife observation, motorized boating, water skiing, surfing, wind surfing, sailing and kite surfing Thurstan et al., 2012 Slide # 11

12 Environmental Impacts Of Kayaking Slight and temporary injury or stress, i.e. activity is unlikely to cause physiological damage, but high levels of activity may increase levels of stress over time Low probability of scouring or erosion OR habitat type robust to low levels of scouring/erosion, shortterm impacts only Low probability of trampling OR habitat type robust to low levels of trampling, short-term impacts only Slide # 12

13 Environmental Impacts Of Kayaking Low impact: Low intensity of use among habitats that are robust to trampling, scouring or erosion. Vulnerable marine wildlife populations rarely present or not dependent upon area for resting, feeding or breeding activities Slide # 13

14 Environmental Impacts Of Kayaking High impact: High intensity of use, presence of intertidal/subtidal habitats that are vulnerable to trampling, scouring or erosion. Presence of populations of megafauna, birds or breeding populations Slide # 14

15 Environmental Impacts Of Kayaking From Thurstan et al., 2012 Slide # 15

16 Environmental Impacts Of Kayaking scuba diving, snorkeling, motorized boating, scientific research, catch and release angling and wildlife observation activities can be practiced in a low impact form if regulated Jet skiing and water skiing seems not compatible with MPAs Slide # 16

17 Currently used countermeasures Brochures Code of conduct Takeoff/landing points Special lanes Permanent/transitory closure of sensible areas Limited number visitors Specialized guides Slide # 17

18 Currently used countermeasures Brochures Code of conduct Takeoff/landing points Special lanes Permanent/transitory closure of sensible areas Limited number visitors Specialized guides Slide # 18

19 Currently used countermeasures Brochures Code of conduct Takeoff/landing points Special lanes Permanent/transitory closure of sensible areas Limited number visitors Specialized guides Slide # 19

20 Currently used countermeasures Brochures Code of conduct Takeoff/landing points Special lanes Permanent/transitory closure of sensible areas Limited number visitors Specialized guides Slide # 20

21 Currently used countermeasures Brochures Code of conduct Takeoff/landing points Special lanes Permanent/transitory closure of sensible areas Limited number visitors Specialized guides Slide # 21

22 Currently used countermeasures Brochures Code of conduct Takeoff/landing points Special corridors Permanent/transitory closure of sensible areas Limited number visitors Specialized guides Slide # 22

23 Currently used countermeasures Brochures Code of conduct Takeoff/landing points Special corridors Permanent/transitory closure of sensible areas Limited number visitors Specialized guides Slide # 23

24 The case of AMP Cinque Terre Slide # 24

25 The case of AMP Cinque Terre Pros: Great interpenetration of land and sea Living landscape No trottoir, rare presence of mammals and scarce presence of birds Cons: Kayaking is not allowed in A zone Scarce number of access/landing points Slide # 25

26 The case of AMP Cinque Terre Development of a code of conduct Dialogue with local renters Briefing activity with tourists Modification of the internal regulations Slide # 26

27 Conclusions and general considerations Know your territory Know local wildlife Know the law Write the rules Share! Slide # 27

28 Conclusions and general considerations Raise awareness of the potential impacts associated with commercial sea kayaking Provide a simple checklist of sustainable practices Slide # 28

29 Learn more on the MedPAN North stand! Happy Hour at 6pm Thanks for paying attention!!!! Slide # 29