MPA Capacity Building. Planning for Sustainable Tourism. BMPs. Working with the Tourism Industry to Minimize Impacts

Transcription

1 Planning for Sustainable Tourism BMPs Working with the Tourism Industry to Minimize Impacts

2 Best Management Practices BMPs Corrective measures or improvements implemented throughout all sectors of the tourism industry to ensure: the least impact possible on the natural resources, improve tourism product quality, and ensure long-term viability of your MPA as a tourism destination.

3 The Tourism Industry: A Key Stakeholder Engagement of the tourism industry is key to the success of any sustainable tourism plan. The tourism industry is primarily responsible for: Addressing environmental impacts on the coastal and marine environment Determining the types of local jobs and treatment of local employees Types of activities offered to tourists and environmental impacts of those activities Tourists choice of destination

4 Best Management Practices Zones BMP s

5 Best Management Practices Voluntary Compliance Zones BMP s

6 Best Management Practices Voluntary Compliance Zones BMP s Permits

7 Best Management Practices Voluntary Compliance Zones BMP s Permits Regulations

8 Best Management Practices Voluntary Compliance Zones BMP s Permits Regulations

9 The Tourism Industry: A Key Stakeholder Who are some of these industry stakeholders? 1.Recreational Tourism Providers 2.Wildlife Tourists, Guides and Naturalists 3.Cruise Ships 4.Facility Designers, Builders and Managers

10 Session 1. Recreational Activities Recreational Boat Operations Water-based Recreation Recreational Fishing Shore-based Activities

11 Recreational Activities ANCHORING can cause physical damage (especially to reefs) can mow down seagrass beds best solution: mooring buoys

12 Recreational Impacts in MPAs BOAT MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS stay within designated markers gentle /slow motoring in shallow/sensitive areas proper disposal of hazardous materials limit use of anti-fouling paints upgrade two-stroke engines, if possible no sewage/garbage disposal at sea

13 Recreational Impacts in MPAs SNORKELING & SCUBA DIVING strict no-contact rule for bottom contact strict no-harassment rule for wildlife

14 Recreational Impacts in MPAs RECREATIONAL FISHING, SEAFOOD & SOUVENIRS Discourage all souvenir collection except sea glass (pebbles of glass litter buffed by wave action) Make tourists aware of which food species are overharvested

15 Recreational Guidelines RECREATIONAL GUIDELINES: - Sport fishing - Diving (snorkeling & scuba) - Jet skis, waterskiing - others??

16 Recreational Activities CASE STUDY PRESENTATION

17 Exercise 3.1: Developing Recreational Guidelines Objective: to develop best management practices (BMPs) for one on-the-water recreational activity provider. Activity: 1) with your team, identify one on-the-water recreational activity e.g., (dive boat live aboard), then 2) identify a range of impacts associated with that activity, 3) use worksheet 3.1 and develop best management practices for the recreational provider to implement, 4) present to whole group. Time: 60 minutes (includes 15 min presentation)

18 Session 2. Wildlife Viewing Boat Impacts Thrill Craft Direct Human Interactions Kayaks Swimming Diving & Snorkeling Shore-based Activities

19 Wildlife Viewing WILDLIFE VIEWING Basic guideline: Do not make wildlife feel threatened! Do not approach so closely that animals alter behavior Use special caution around important areas for reproduction and around reproductive behavior If an animal wants to leave, let it leave.

20 Wildlife Viewing IMPACTS ON WILDLFE Behavior changes due to interactions with humans

21 Wildlife Viewing IMPACTS ON WILDLFE Abandonment of primary feeding or reproductive grounds Disruption of courtship and mating behaviors resulting in reduction in breeding success

22 Wildlife Viewing IMPACTS ON WILDLFE Prop scarring from boat engines Intrusion of boats creating separation between mother and calves Large number of boats creating conditions for animals that may include alterations to physiology such as blood chemistry from stress

23 Wildlife Viewing IMPACTS ON WILDLFE Excessive daytime interaction in shallow bays can disturb and change behavior of resting dolphins

24 Roles of Guides General information & interpretation Nature interpreters Conservationists Enforcers of regulations Monitors of tourism impact Liaison with local communities

25 Wildlife Viewing

26 Wildlife Viewing CASE STUDY PRESENTATION

27 Exercise 3.2: Developing Wildlife Viewing Guidelines Objective: to develop best management practices (BMPs) for wildlife viewing. Activity: 1) with your team, identify one wildlife viewing activity, then 2) identify a range of impacts associated with that activity, 3) use worksheet 3.2 and develop best management practices for wildlife viewers, tour guides or naturalists to implement, 4) present to whole group. Time: 60 minutes (includes 15 min presentation)

28 Session 3. Cruise Ships Air Emissions Ballast Water Waste Water Hazardous Waster Solid Waste

29 Cruise Ships Year # passengers worldwide , ,500, ,200,000

30 The Cruise Industry Today Three major cruise corporations: 1. Royal Caribbean - 23 ships 2. Carnival Cruise Lines - 43 ships 3. P&O Princess Cruises - 18 ships... plus several smaller companies. Each of these ships represents a small floating city (with its own postal code) with thousands of passengers. 80% of cruise passengers are U.S. residents.

31 Environmental Impacts WASTE DISCHARGE Cruise ships have a mixed environmental record. Over the past ten years, nearly 70 ships from 42 cruise lines have been cited for illegal dumping, and fined a total of over US $30 million. Norwegian cruise ship fined $1,000,000 for illegal dumping of oily bilge water

32 Environmental Impacts SEWAGE & WASTEWATER A typical ship of 3000 passengers generates 30,000 gallons of sewage & 255,000 gal wastewater per day May be discharged more than 10 miles at sea Best assimilated by sea when ship is moving fast Legal complications: ships may follow law of home port, not law of destination country. In US waters, sewage must be treated when discharged from 3-10 nautical miles of land, and may not be discharged within 3 nautical miles of land. (Cruise ships based in US ports usually follow this law.)

33 Environmental Impacts SOLID WASTE Each passenger generates ~2 lbs trash, plus 2 bottles and 2 cans, per day The total is ~50 tons solid waste per week. Most cruise lines have reduce/reuse/recycle programs Approximately 75% of solid waste is incinerated on board the ship.

34 Environmental Impacts OILY BILGE WATER An inevitable by-product of normal engine operation A large ship produces ~8 metric tons per day Should be passed through oily-water-separator devices Logs are required of bilge water discharge

35 Environmental Impacts

36 Contribution to Conservation EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES The industry itself Crew and other staff on the cruise ship Passengers Tour providers Suppliers

37 Contribution to Conservation DIRECT CONTRIBUTIONS TO CONSERVATION Royal Caribbean s Ocean Fund Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund Silver Sea s Fundraising Events Celebrity Cruises Support for Conservation in the Galapagos Norwegian Cruise Line and America s Water Pollution Education program

38 Cruise Ships CASE STUDY PRESENTATION

39 Exercise 3.3: Developing Cruise Ship Guidelines Objective: to develop best management practices (BMPs) for cruise ships. Activity: 1) with your team, identify one cruise ship activity, then 2) identify a range of impacts associated with that activity, 3) use worksheet 3.3 and develop best management practices for cruise ships to implement, 4) present to whole group. Time: 60 minutes (includes 15 min presentation)

40 Session 4. Tourism Facilities Food Services Souvenir Shops Grounds & Gardens Solid Waste Water Management

41 Tourism Facilities VISITOR CENTERS HOTELS RESTAURANTS GIFT SHOPS Facilities are the cornerstone of coastal tourism without good facilities, very few tourists will visit. Facility owners are often very willing to use sustainable practices, because: 1. They have a long-term investment in a particular site. 2. Sustainable facility practices will almost always reduce the facility s utility costs.

42 Tourism Facilities EXAMPLE: Environmentally sound hotel management practices will usually save the hotel 20-30% in utility costs MAJOR AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT 1. Water use 2. Wastewater & sewage 3. Solid waste (garbage) 4. Energy use

43 Facilities: Water Conservation Water sources: Should be identified during initial site selection Facilities may need water wells Water wells should be sited carefully re septic system, saltwater The most water-intensive needs are golf courses and swimming pools

44 Facilities: Water Conservation SIMPLE LOW-COST STEPS FOR WATER CONSERVATION Flow diverters and toilet dams Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators Control nozzles on water hozes Drip-irrigation systems Towel & linen re-use programs...etc... MONITORING Record water meter readings daily Install sub-meters for kitchen & irrigation Occasionally, track water usage hourly - can reveal waste/leaks

45 Facilities: Wastewater Management Wastewater is any water that has been used & is not pure. WASTEWATER INCLUDES Sewage - from toilets Kitchen water - usually very greasy Graywater - water used for cleaning (laundry, showers) - only contains soap & dirt; no toxins, no organics - often can be re-used for laundry or irrigation Irrigation water - may contain pesticides, fertilizers Any environmental water that enters the system. - storm runoff, groundwater, etc.

46 Facilities: Wastewater Problems Untreated raw sewage outflow (Florida) Photos: Steve Spring

47 Facilities: Wastewater Problems EUTROPHICATION - excessive nutrients (from sewage or fertilizer) cause excessive growth of algae (algal blooms), which use up most dissolved oxygen. Can cause complete ecosystem collapse. Even in milder cases, coral reefs are particularly susceptible. Green areas show severe algal blooms in Caspian Sea Underwater photos of dying animals in the Baltic Sea, caused by eutrophication

48 Facilities: Wastewater Problems

49 Tips for Wastewater Treatment

50 Tips for Wastewater Treatment MAINTAIN SEPTIC SYSTEMS 1. Clean out sludge from septic tank regularly (often 4x/year) 2. Clean kitchen grease traps weekly

51 Facilities: Solid Waste Management

52 Facilities: Solid Waste Management

53 Facilities: Solid Waste Management

54 Reduce, re-use, recycle REDUCE use of items that generate solid waste: unnecessary packaging single-serve items paper cups, etc. RE-USE all possible items, on site or in community RECYCLE materials such as: organic materials for compost glass, aluminum, paper, some plastics

55 Facilities: Energy Use Energy is the largest utility cost for most hotels

56 Most energy use is by guestrooms...

57 ... for air-conditioning

58 Cost Savings from Energy Conservation AN INVESTMENT OF US $20-30 PER ROOM WILL USUALLY YIELD AN ANNUAL SAVINGS OF US $100 PER ROOM. Tips for energy conservation: - Install door sweeps/weather strips - Use energy-efficient light bulbs - Minimize use of air-conditioning - Maintain/service air-conditioning equipment - Use timers to turn off pool pumps, A/C, etc. - Use ionizers - Plant shrubs/trees to assist in shading property etc...

59 Coastal Construction NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF COASTAL CONSTRUCTION Shoreline erosion Turbidity & sediment Choking of benthic organisms Eventual decline in tourism

60 Risk of Erosion & Beach Loss

61 Facilities: Setbacks

62 Facilities: Setbacks

63 Solutions to Beach Erosion Seawalls: temporarily protect structure behind wall accelerate loss of beach in front of wall eventually will be undermined

64 "Solutions" to Beach Erosion This seawall caused complete loss of a sandy beach

65 "Solutions" to Beach Erosion

66 Eventual Seawall Failure

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69 Guidelines for Facility Siteing & Design Avoid sensitive environments Seek local knowledge of the site Be aware of potential user conflicts Concentrate in "nodes, not strips Assess existing infrastructure Retain beach access for residents Use generous setbacks Use landscaping & native vegetation Strip development - no vegetation remaining Small hotel - nicely landscaped

70 Tourism Facilities CASE STUDY PRESENTATION

71 Exercise 3.4: Developing Facility Guidelines Objective: to develop best management practices (BMPs) for facility development and maintenance. Activity: 1) with your team, identify one facility associated activity, then 2) identify a range of impacts associated with that activity, 3) use worksheet 3.4 and develop best management practices for facilities to implement, 4) present to whole group. Time: 60 minutes (includes 15 min presentation)