Rapid recreation assessment: a tool to assess visitor use and associated impacts at coastal and marine protected areas

As more people discover coastal and marine protected areas as destinations for leisure-time pursuits, the task of managing coastal resources while providing opportunities for high quality visitor experiences becomes more challenging. Many human impacts occur at these sites; some are caused by recreation and leisure activities on-site, and others by activities such as agriculture, aquaculture, or residential and economic development in surrounding areas. Coastal management professionals are continually looking for effective ways to prevent or mitigate negative impacts of visitor use. (PDF contains 8 pages) Most coastal and marine protected area managers are challenged with balancing two competing goals—protection of natural and cultural resources and provision of opportunities for public use. In most cases, some level of compromise between the goals is necessary, where one goal constrains or “outweighs” the other. Often there is a lack of clear agreement about the priority of these competing goals. Consequently, while natural resource decisions should ultimately be science-based and objective, such decisions are frequently made under uncertainty, relying heavily upon professional judgment. These decisions are subject to a complex array of formal and informal drivers and constraints—data availability, timing, legal mandate, political will, diverse public opinion, and physical, human, and social capital. This paper highlights assessment, monitoring, and planning approaches useful to gauge existing resource and social conditions, determine feasibility of management actions, and record decision process steps to enhance defensibility. Examples are presented from pilot efforts conducted at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) and Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in South Florida.

Socio-economic survey of fisher families, 1958-59

Fisher families had been investigated by the Department of Commerce and Industries in earlier economic surveys conducted in 1935, 1938 and 1939 (Das Gupta, 1937 a & b; 1944 a & b). These surveys were directed at the general economic conditions of the urban and rural sectors of the population and therefore did not provide much information in particular on the life of the fisherman or his environment. The Department of Fisheries in 1954 conducted a rapid enquiry into the living conditions of fishermen to obtain some data on their income, indebtedness and general social conditions, at the request of the Canadian Co-operative Consultant for incorporation in his report on the "Status and Possibilities of Co-operative Development of the Fisheries of Ceylon” (MacDonald, 1954). The present survey was undertaken to provide more definite socio-economic information on the fishermen of Ceylon, covering such aspects as income, expenditure, indebtedness and living conditions. The survey was started in June, 1958, but was interrupted by the unsettled conditions of the Island at the time, taking therefore a little over a year for completion. Some of the data collected was used as a basis for a report on the living conditions of fishermen, incorporated in the “Guide to the Fisheries of Ceylon", a hand book published by the Department of Fisheries (Anon. 1958).

Socioeconomic conditions of traditional fishermen of Vitava village in Thane district

Maharashtra stands third in fish production in India, with an estimated annual landings of 3.32 lakhs tonnes (1986-87). About 45% of the fishermen are directly involved in fishing. Mechanisation has boosted fish production resulting in gainful employment and higher incomes to fishermen. However, traditional fishermen along Thane creek and who entirely depend on fishing for their livelihood are comparatively poor due to their dependence on subsistence fishing and reduction of fish stock due to pollution of the creek. Conservation of the resources, proper monitoring of pollution and financial assistance and guidance will help the fishermen improve their living conditions.

Environmental and social impact monitoring of the Bujagali Hydropower Project (BHPP), Uganda Fisheries Component: monthly patterns in physico-chemical conditions and fish catch in the immediate vicinity of the Bujagali Hydropower construction site, 29th September - 28th October 2007

Following the commencement of construction works of a 250 MW hydropower plant at Dumbbell Island in the Upper Victoria Nile in September 2007, BEL requested NaFIRRI to conduct continuous monitoring of fish catches at two transects i.e. the immediate upstream transect of the project site (Kalange-Makwanzi) and the immediate downstream .transect (Buyala-Kikubamutwe). The routine monitoring surveys were designed to be conducted twice a week at each of the tWo transects. It was anticipated that major immediate impacts were to occur during construction, and these needed to be known by BEL as part of a mitigation strategy. For example, the construction of it cofferdam could be accompanied by rapid changes in water quality and quantity downstream of the construction. These changes in turn could affect the fish catch and would probably be missed by the quarterly monitoring already in place. Therefore, a major cbjective of the more regular and rapid monitoring was to discern immediate impacts of construction activities by focusing on selected water quality parameters (total suspended solids, water conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH) and fish catch characteristics (total catch, catch rates and value of the catch)

Influence of Dilute Acetic Acid Treatments on American Pondweed Winter Buds in the Nevada Irrigation District, California

American pondweed ( Potamogeton nodosus Poir.) is commonly found in northern California irrigation canals. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that exposure of American pondweed winter buds to dilute acetic acid under field conditions would result in reduced subsequent biomass.

Encouraging sustainable development in a coastal community: New Hanover County, North Carolina's exceptional design zoning district

While New Hanover County is the second smallest county in North Carolina, it is also the second most densely populated with approximately 850 people per square mile. Nestled between the Cape Fear River and Atlantic Ocean with surrounding barrier island beach communities, the County’s geographic location provides a prime vacation destination, as well as an ideal location for residents who wish to live at the water’s edge. Wilmington is the largest city in the County with a population just under 200,000. Most of the Wilmington metropolitan area is developed, creating intense development pressures for the remaining undeveloped land in the unincorporated County. In order to provide development opportunities for mixed use or high density projects within unincorporated New Hanover County where appropriate urban features are in place to support such projects without the negative effects of urban sprawl, County Planning Staff recently developed an Exceptional Design Zoning District (EDZD). Largely based on the LEED for Neighborhood Development program, the EDZD standards were scaled to fit the unique conditions of the County with the goal of encouraging sustainable development while providing density incentives to entice the use of the voluntary district. The incentive for the voluntary zoning district is increased density in areas where the density may not be allowed under normal circumstances. The rationale behind allowing for higher density projects is that development can be concentrated in areas where appropriate urban features are in place to support such projects, and the tendency toward urban sprawl can be minimized. With water quality being of high importance, it is perceived that higher density development will better protect water quality then lower density projects. (PDF contains 4 pages)

Biology of the amphipod Gammarus pulex L. in water-bodies of the Leningrad district, and its piscicultural importance [Translation from: Trudy Vsesoyuznogo Gidrobiologicheskogo Obshchestva 7 99-122, 1956]

Observations and laboratory experiments are summarised that examine the widely discussed issue of what Gammarus pulex feeds on. On the basis of the observations of the authors and data from the literature it can be noted that G. pulex belongs to the omnivorous organisms, but, depending on the conditions of subsistence, in its rations either plant or animal food can predominate.

Investigations of the sand movements in the district of the Elbe estuary [Translation from: Hamburger Kuestenforschung 19, [pages 61-63 only], 1975]

The present work is concerned with the processes of sand movement in the region of the Elbe estuary. In the first part the results of various investigations which have given indications of the regional transport directions are collected together. The interpretation of the results of a large number of continuous current recordings gives a picture of the resulting transport to be expected under the influence of the tides with those current conditions. This partial translation of the original paper provides the summary of this paper the regional distribution of the flood and ebb flow zones.

Eden & District Fisheries Advisory Committee 18th October, 1977

This is the report from the Eden and District Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 18th October, 1977. It covers fisheries income and expenditure, licence duties and a brief bit on draft nets for the River Eden and netting on the Solway Firth. It also looks at the possible development of Rivers Waver and Wampool as a sea trout fishery, in which the report covers the physical descriptions of the catchments, abstractions, discharges, biological aspects, chemical aspects and the present situation regarding fisheries. Also included is the report by the area fisheries officer on fisheries activities which includes information on river conditions and fishing, fish kills on the River Petteril, River Wiza and Ullswater, bailiff activities, stock numbers, and an update on Holmwrangle hatchery. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Eden & District Fisheries Advisory Committee 29th March, 1977.

This is the report from the Eden and District Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 29th March, 1977. The report contains sections on Fisheries income and expenditure, netting on the Solway Firth, water bailiffs on the River Eden and fisheries activities. The section on fisheries activities includes river conditions and salmon fishing in the River Eden and on the Border Esk; salmon catches from the Border Esk, Eden, and Solway; restocking; and fish mortalities. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Eden & District Fisheries Advisory Committee 10th January, 1978

This is the report from the Eden and District Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 10th January, 1978. It covers information of fisheries income and expenditure, licence duties, regional water resources study, salmon fishing, radioactive discharge in relation to fishery interests and a brief mention about the possibilities of opening Castle Carrock reservoir for public angling. It also includes the report by the area fisheries officer on river conditions and fishing, Holmwrangle Hatchery and stocking. Included in this report is a note on the survey work carried out on the Upper Eden and Eamont regarding brown trout, the collection of fish for hatcheries, Redd counting and the transfer of coarse fish. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Eden & District Fisheries Advisory Committee 4th April, 1978

This is the report from the Eden and District Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 4th April, 1978. It covers information on fisheries income and expenditure, net licence duties and a fishery dispute in the Solway Firth. It also includes the report by the area fisheries officer on river conditions and fishing, and Holmwrangle hatchery which include sections on disease outbreaks, movements of fish and stock lists. Included in this report is also fish disease, biological work and a brief note on the spotting of Cormorants on the Eden and the worry about the effect this will have on shoals of smolts. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Eden and District Fisheries Advisory Committee 27th June, 1978

This is the report from the Eden and District Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 27th June, 1978. It covers information on the monitoring of radioactivity in migratory fish, fishing offences and prosecutions, and the income from the sale of rod and line licences. Also included is the review of discharge consent conditions and illegal netting, and the report by the area fisheries officer. This covers information on river conditions and fishing, migratory fish movements, Holmwrangle hatchery, fish mortalities, fish diseases, coarse fish removals from Brunstock Beck, and In-River engineering works. Also included in the report is the stocking numbers of salmon and sea trout by the Water Authority. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Eden and District Fisheries Advisory Committee 17th October, 1978

This is the report from the Eden and District Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 17th October, 1978. It covers information on fisheries income and expenditure, the study of salmon propagation in England and Wales, work on the future programme of fisheries work and keep nets. It also covers the report by the area fisheries officer on fishing activities including river conditions and fishing for salmon, sea trout, brown trout, and coarse fish, and an update on Holmwrangle hatchery. The report also looks at stocking numbers of salmon and sea trout in various rivers, predator counts for various rivers, biological work and fish disease. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Eden & District Fisheries Advisory Committee 19th October, 1976.

This is the report from the Eden and District Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 19th October, 1976. The report contains sections on fish stocking, the drought situation, fisheries activities, the protection of salmon and trout fry from cormorants and mergansers feeding on these fish, and water conditions harmful to fish life. The section on fish stocking includes background information about fish stocking by the authority; difficulties; migratory fish; non-migratory trout and coarse fish; stocking after pollution; stocking of waters within the region; stocking with coarse fish; and recommendations. The section on fisheries activities includes general information on the Eden and District Area; stocking; fish rescues; fish mortalities; Holmewrange hatchery; fry stocking; disease; and smolts. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.