The overall aim of this thesis, as required by the funders, was to provide research that would contribute towards the development of a bay management plan, specifically information on the local fisheries. The thesis therefore includes an assessment of the local shore-based linefishery in terms of catch and effort and socio-economics, and the development of indicators from this information with which to assess the sustainability of the fishery. Finally an implementation strategy for an integrated coastal management approach for local resource governance is proposed The shore-based linefishery of Plettenberg Bay was assessed through a combination of roving creel and access point surveys which included questions aimed at the quantification of total effort, total catch and cpue, as well as the spatial trends in catch and effort. Angler demographics as well as opinions and knowledge of current fisheries regulations were obtained and the efficiency of the fishery inspectorate was assessed. The survey period extended from August 2003 to September 2004 during which 1189 angler interviews were conducted. Catch data obtained during this study was compared to catch data gathered during a research tagging program conducted in an area closed to fishing (Tsitsikamma National Park) and a semi-open area (Rebelsrus – Cape St. Francis), thereby highlighting differences in species composition, abundance and size distribution of certain species between areas of differing fishing pressures. The fishery surveys revealed that the shore-based fishery is primarily recreational (99%) and dominated by white males. Most anglers agreed with the current fisheries regulations (60%) and admitted to abiding by them, however when tested on the regulations of their target species, their knowledge was poor. Effort in the fishery was highly seasonal with peaks coinciding with major school holidays. Total annual effort was estimated at 102 566 angler-hours, with distinct spatial patterns in effort. Total annual catch for the Plettenberg Bay shore-based linefishery was estimated at 31 217 fish.year⁻¹ with a total mass of 13.6 tons. Thirty-six fish species (26 teleost species and 10 elasmobranchs species) were identified during the survey period with Blacktail Diplodus capensis, Strepie Sarpa salpa, Red tjor-tjor Pagellus natalensis, Shad Pomatomus saltatrix and Sand steenbras Lithognathus mormyrus being the five most commonly caught species. Only 32% of interviewed anglers were successful in catching a fish with just 22% catching their primary target species. In addition, a large proportion of the anglers (69%) reported a decline in catch rate, with most blaming the commercial sector as a reason for the decline. The overall catch rate was (cpue) 0.374 fish.angler.hour⁻¹ or 170 grams.angler.hour⁻¹, considerably lower than that obtained from the fishery exempt area (TNP = 1. 02 fish.angler.hour⁻¹) and the partially exploited area (Rebelsrus = 0.91 fish.angler.hour⁻¹). In terms of species composition the most obvious difference between the three areas was the low proportion of non-migratory reef-associated species like red roman, poenskop, John brown, santer and bronze bream in Plettenberg Bay. Size comparisons revealed that the majority of species (particularly reef-associated species) were larger in the TNP than both the semi-exploited (Rebelsrus) and exploited area (Plettenberg Bay). Collectively theses findings suggest that certain species have been locally depleted, that recreational fishing has impacted heavily on the fish stocks and that even partial closure or limited access to an area can offer protection. From the results key issues were identified and sustainability indicators proposed according to the three sustainability domains (ecological, institutional and social) proposed by Pajak (2000). Within the ecological domain the most pertinent issue was the low catch rate, particularly for reef-associated species. Indicators to track these issues included: percentage of successful trips (where fish were caught), percentage of anglers that reached their daily bag limits and the proportion of the overall catch that comprised larger, more desirable species. Institutionally the most pertinent issue was the apparent inability of management institutions to manage effectively marine resources within Plettenberg Bay. Indicators within this domain included the proportion of anglers who were inspected, the existence of a localised management plan and an associated monitoring programme. Socially the fishery proved to be fairly sustainable. Indicators included in this domain were the proportion of subsistence anglers in the local fishing community, the percentage of correct answers pertaining to current fishery regulations, the level of noncompliance and the percentage of undersize fish retained. Aggregation of all the indicators within a sustainability matrix revealed that the Plettenberg Bay shore-based linefishery was unsustainable and thus requires increased local management effort. Since there is no local management strategy in place, an integrated coastal management approach for the governance of the coastal resources in Plettenberg Bay has been proposed. The development of a Coastal Management Plan and a subsidiary Bay Management Plan provide the frameworks within which management strategies can be put into operation.

No description available.

Thesis (M.E.S.)--The Evergreen State College, 2009. / Title from title screen (viewed 10/21/2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 112-118).

Thesis (MScEng (Civil Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The hypothesis postulated in this research, namely that the effectiveness of natural and constructed buffer dune systems can be assessed by a set of indicators that defines the integrity of the dune system and triggers informed management decisions, was evaluated and proved to be essentially true. Two key objectives, namely (1) the identification of key indicators that define the buffer dune integrity; and (2) the development of a scientifically defendable and practical checklist-based method of gathering qualitative information on the identified key indicators so as to guide decision-making at municipal level formed the core of the study. The six dune integrity indicators that collectively define the risk profile of a particular site along the Southern Cape coastline are (1) the degree of protection from prevailing wave energy, (2) the characteristics of the dominant winds and sand supply during the dry season, (3) the relative height of the foredune, (4) the degree of pressure on the buffer dune due to humans, (5) the vulnerability of the type of coastline to erosion, and (6) the coastline stability considering the prevailing coastal processes. The first two indicators relate to the natural (permanent) characteristics of the site and can be defined by experts and presented in the form of a risk and vulnerability atlas layer for direct use by non-experts. The third and fourth indicators relate directly to the implementation of proactive assessment and appropriate management actions to ensure a high level of buffer dune integrity. The last two indicators allow for management intervention to reduce the vulnerability but may entail costly engineering solutions and require expert input. A conceptual risk profile assessment procedure and a decision support guideline incorporating these indicators were developed and evaluated for relevance and practicality through a series of workshops with municipal officials along the south coast of South Africa. It was seen that although some initial basic training may be required, carrying out rapid assessments of the environmental status of key components of an identified human–nature system, such as a buffer dune, is practical and achievable by non-experts. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hipotese wat in hierdie navorsing gepostuleer is, naamlik dat die doeltreffendheid van natuurlike en geboude bufferduinstelsels geassesseer kan word deur ’n stel aanwysers wat die integriteit van die duinstelsel bepaal en ingeligte bestuursbesluite tot gevolg het, is getoets en bewys hoofsaaklik waar te wees. Twee sleuteldoelwitte, naamlik (1) die identifisering van sleutelaanwysers wat die bufferduinintegriteit bepaal; en (2) die ontwikkeling van ’n praktiese kontrolelys-gebaseerde metode wat wetenskaplik verdedigbaar is om kwalitatiewe inligting oor die geïdentifiseerde sleutelaanwysers in te samel ten einde besluitneming op munisipale vlak te bevorder, vorm die kern van die studie. Die ses duin-integriteitsaanwysers wat gesamentlik die risikoprofiel van ’n bepaalde terrein langs die kuslyn bepaal, is (1) die graad van beskerming teen die heersende golfenergie, (2) die kenmerke van die dominante winde en sandbron gedurende die droë seisoen, (3) die relatiewe hoogte van die voorduin, (4) die graad van druk op die bufferduin as gevolg van mense, (5) die eroderingskwesbaarheid van die soort kuslyn, en (6) die kuslynstabiliteit met inagname van die kusprosesse. Die eerste twee aanwysers het betrekking op die natuurlike (permanente) eienskappe van die terrein en kan deur kundiges bepaal word en in die vorm van ’n kaart in ’n risiko-enkwesbaarheidsatlas aangebied word vir direkte gebruik deur niedeskundiges. Aanwysers 3 en 4 hou direk verband met die implementering van tydige en deurlopende proaktiewe assessering en gepaste bestuursaksies om ’n hoë vlak van bufferduinintegriteit te verseker. Aanwysers 5 en 6 bevorder bestuursaksies om kwesbaarheid te verminder, maar kan moontlik duur ingenieursoplossings inhou en kundige insette benodig. ’n Konseptuele risikoprofielassesseringsprosedure en ’n besluitondersteuningsriglyn wat die aanwysers insluit, is ontwikkel en geëvalueer vir toepaslikheid en uitvoerbaarheid deur ’n reeks werkswinkels met munisipale amptenare aan die suidkus van Suid-Afrika. Hoewel aanvanklike basiese opleiding nodig kan wees, bly dit dat vinnige assessering van die omgewingstatus van sleutelkomponente van ’n geïdentifiseerde mens–natuurstelsel, soos ‘n bufferduin, prakties en haalbaar deur niedeskundiges is.

<p>Fresh groundwater quality and availability in coastal areas is affected by seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers, and coastal water quality and ecosystem status may be significantly affected by groundwater pollutants that are transported into coastal waters by submarine groundwater dis-charge (SGD). This thesis uses an overall regional perspective for investigating: i) seawater intru-sion and its possible control in sustainable coastal groundwater management; ii) SGD and its relevant quantification as one interacting part among the diverse main regional pathways of freshwater and tracer/pollutant inputs from land to sea; and iii) the integrated system functioning of both i) and ii) as main components of the same coastal groundwater system.</p><p>Results show that intensive pumping rates may be maintained for a long time before major re-gional seawater intrusion problems are recognized by too high salinities in pumped groundwater. After such late recognition, pumping wells are no longer useful and a common strategy of mov-ing groundwater pumping further upstream from the coast only increases the extent of the salt-water intrusion zone into the aquifer. An alternative strategy may be to control seawater intrusion through artificial groundwater recharge, for instance by sufficiently treated wastewater, which may considerably reduce long-term trends of salinity increase in pumped groundwater, even for small artificial recharge rates compared to pumping rates. In general, account for natural spatial-temporal variability and randomness may be essential for relevant prediction of groundwater dynamics for management purposes. Spatial and temporal randomness effects, however, may not be additive, but rather largely overlapping, with either spatial or temporal randomness being the dominating part that must be accounted for in predictive groundwater dynamics calculations. Aquifer depth is identified as an important control parameter in this context, yielding much greater temporal randomness effects in shallow than in deep aquifers.</p><p>Combined simulation results suggest a simple, approximately linear regional relationship between total SGD and its hydrologically determined freshwater component. Tidal oscillation may signifi-cantly affect such linear dependence of steady-state SGD, but primarily for low SGD conditions. High SGD appears to depend mainly on a dominant freshwater component, which effectively counteracts density-driven flow of seawater into the aquifer and thus decreases also effects of sea-level oscillation on the seawater component of total SGD. Comparative analysis between different SGD estimation methods in different reported high-SGD regions of the world indicates possible anomalously large regional SGD estimation from tracer concentrations in coastal waters, by confusing different main pathways of groundwater flow and pollutant inputs to the sea.</p>

In Florida, mangroves have responded to climate change by slowly migrating northward into traditional salt marsh habitat. However, little is understood about the relationships among mangrove growth form plasticity and environmental conditions. In addition, the effects of the mangrove northward expansion on pre-existing salt marsh communities are unknown, especially any influences of differences in tree morphology. The size, canopy structure, and root structure of the three mangrove species Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, and Laguncularia racemosa were measured at six sites along the east coast of Florida. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the multivariate relationships between environmental and biotic variables. Mangrove growth form varied widely with environmental variables. The results of this study suggest that R. mangle expansion into salt marsh may rely on interactions with salt marsh and shading as well as on climatic variables, which has implications for future mangrove expansion northward in Florida. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

La question de la remontée des niveaux marins et du recul du trait de côte est aujourd'hui une préoccupation de premier ordre face à laquelle les sociétés sont en attente de connaissances et de propositions. Or, les littoraux les plus menacés, les côtes basses, sont d'une part le siège de pratiques séculaires, de "défense contre la mer" et ont, d’autre part, été investis dans une période récente par des activités touristiques tournées vers l'exploitation des plages. Cette vulnérabilité physique et sociale explique notre choix pour les littoraux correspondants aux trois communes de Vias, Agde et Marseillan (golfe du Lion). Ces terrains réunissent un ensemble de caractéristiques qui en font un terrain laboratoire propice à l’observation et au traitement de cette problématique. L’érosion et la submersion marine ont marqué l’espace et les paysages de ces territoires. Face à cette situation de vulnérabilité se pose la question de l'adaptation des systèmes socio-économiques qui se sont développés dans ces espaces et de la résilience des territoires. La résilience désigne la capacité à anticiper, à réagir et à rebondir après un événement perturbateur. Cette approche nous permet de comprendre comment la société locale réagit face à des situations de vulnérabilité et comment se construisent les capacités d’adaptation et de résilience dans sa dimension territoriale. L’approche monographique est mobilisée dans notre travail à partir des entretiens semi-directifs, l’objectif est de confronter la notion théorique de la résilience des territoires à sa réalité pratique. À travers, ces trois territoires, il s’agit d’apporter des connaissances empiriques afin de décrypter les enjeux et révéler un modèle de développement axé sur la littoralisation des activités. Nous proposons à la fin de ce travail une nouvelle démarche, la Résilience Intégrée de Zones Côtières (RIZC), pour dépasser la complexité du réel et entretenir les solidarités entre tous les acteurs concernés. La RIZC permet de maintenir un niveau d’activité à l’aide des capacités de la souplesse du système afin de limiter les conflits d’intérêts entre public et privé et renforcer leur confiance mutuelle. / Rising sea levels and coastline recession have become a major issue about which society requires knowledges and solutions. The shorelines most threatened are low seacoasts which are both places of century-old traditions of coastal protection and localities exploited for tourism attracted by their beaches. This material and social vulnerability explains our choice of three municipalities: Vias, Agde and Marseillan (France, Gulf of Lion). These cases highlight features that permit pertinent observations on the subject. Erosion and coastal flood have shaped their landscape and planning. Can socioeconomics systems adapt to this new vulnerability? Resilience is the capacity to anticipate, react and bounce back after a disturbance. This approach allows us to understand how local communities react to vulnerability and plan new forms of resilience and adaptation. We use semi-structured interviews to build monographs and contrast theoretical resilience against real life experiences. These three territories are used to gather empirical knowledge in order to clarify the issues at stake and the need to abandon the concentration of activities on shorelines. Finally, we discuss how a new approach known as integrated coastal zone management; can overcome the complexity of the real situations encountered and underpin solidarity between all the stakeholders. Using a more versatile system, integrated coastal zone management, can help to maintain activities, limit conflicts of interest between public and private stakeholders and strengthen their mutual trust.

Coastlines are particularly susceptible to the necessary trade-offs which occur between different ecosystem services. Should the areas be managed for biodiversity or for people? Where sandy beaches are found there is usually a management decision to be made between managing for recreation or for biodiversity. Many popular tourist beaches (particularly those with a Beach Award) are often groomed with mechanical equipment to remove any stranded seaweed and associated litter which can get entangled in the wrack. This is likely to be having a negative impact on coastal biodiversity, with wide ranging implications for the entire habitat, including the intertidal zone, sand dunes and shorebirds. Beached wrack should be allowed to naturally decompose providing a habitat for numerous species of macro-invertebrates. These macro-invertebrate communities not only include many endemic species found exclusively along the strandline but they also provide a very rich source of food for shorebirds. The re-mineralised nutrients resulting from the decomposed macrophytes should then become available to provide a rich source of nutrients to dune, strandline and marine ecosystems populations of the strandline. In previous studies grooming has been shown to have a negative impact on the invertebrates of the strandline and this study reveals that tidal range has an effect on the impacts of grooming with a higher tidal range having a more negative impact on the invertebrates. A study to observe the impacts of grooming on both adult plant and seed bank communities of the sand dunes found that grooming is having a negative impact on these populations. Grooming is predominantly driven by beach managers who aspire to gain Beach Awards in order to attract tourists to their beaches. Using non-market valuation in the form of a stated preference choice experiment and a travel cost model, it was observed that Beach Awards are not valued by beach goers but are instead influenced to visit a particular beach by good bathing water quality, high levels of biodiversity and low levels of litter. It was also shown that stranded seaweed on the beach does not deter visitors. Future management suggestions include attempting to reduce the confusion arising from the presence of multiple beach awards by either removing them altogether or by making their criteria more clear and direct with consistency in their design and designation. Bathing water quality should be completely removed from the Beach Award system and real-time information in the form of electronic signage and a publicly available App should replace it.

As preocupações com a integridade e o equilíbrio ambiental das regiões costeiras decorrem do fato de serem as mais ameaçadas do planeta, justamente por representarem para as sociedades humanas um elo de ligação e de intensa troca de mercadorias entre si, com a exploração desordenada e muitas vezes predatória de seus recursos naturais, tornado-se, já na era industrial o principal local de lazer, turismo ou moradia de grandes massas de populações urbanos. A vocação de uso de determinada paisagem esta relacionada às funções que a mesma desempenha. O que ocorre é que o padrão de desenvolvimento adotado e a atual configuração sócio-econômica determinam usos que nem sempre coincidem com a sua melhor utilização. A fim de subsidiar futuros planos de uso e ocupação racional do solo das áreas naturais adjacentes ao Balneário Cassino (Rio Grande, RS), de acordo com os preceitos do Gerenciamento Costeiro Integrado, desenvolveu-se um Dianóstico Sócio-Ambiental da área dentro de abordagem sistêmica. Foram considerados principais componentes e processos urbanos e ambientais, definidos a partir da interpretação de aerofotografias, levantamentos de campo quali-quantitativos e informações bibliográficas. Os resultados são apresentados na forma de tabelas, quadros, levantamentos fotográficos, modelos diagramáticos conceituais, e mapas temáticos, que permitiram entender a organização estrutural e funcional da paisagem, e fundamentar uma ordenação espacial dos usos desta área, de modo a adequá-los às suas especificidades ambientais, histórico-culturais, sócio-econômicas e legais. / The integrity and the environmental equilibrium of coastal zones are increasingly becoming a concern to environmental scientists. Coastal environments are one of the most threatened in the world. Besides, they represent, to the human societies, a link of connection and intense exchange of merchandise amongst each other, with disordered and, at many times, predatory exploration, becoming, already at the industrial age, a main site of leisure, tourism and habitation of large masses of urban population. The vocation of a determined landscape is related to the functions and roles it plays. What actually occurs is that the development pattern adopted and the actual socio-economics determine the uses, which not always coincide with its best utilization. In order to assist future plans of rational use and occupation of natural areas adjacent to Cassino's Bathing Resort (Rio Grande, RS), in agreement with the Integrated Coastal Zone Management, a social-environmental diagnosis of the study site was developed using the systemic approach. The main environmental and urban processes and components were considered. They were defined based on aerophotos interpretation, quail-quantitative field survey and bibliographic information. The results, presented in the form of tables, photographic surveys, conceptual diagrammatic models and thematic maps, allowed to understand the structural and functional organization of the landscape and to establish a spatial ordering of land use to adequate them to their environmental, historic-social, socioeconomics and legal specificities.

Bibliography: leaves 98-103. Examines the role of public participation in coastal protection and coastal management in two marina developments proposed for Yorke Peninsula. The study concluded that there was potential for the South Australian Planning System to incorporate sustainable development and involve the public to a greater extent. The Environmental Impact Assessment process has been perceived as a means of incorporating the principles of ecologically sustainable development at a community level, but the extent to which this has occured for the marina developments at Port Vincent and Wallaroo is limited.