Recreational use of a marine protected area: Point Lonsdale, Victoria
journal contribution
posted on 2004-09-01, 00:00authored byChristine Porter, Geoffrey Wescott
This This article reports findings from observational and questionnaire surveys of visitors to a Marine Protected Area (MPA) at Point Lonsdale, Victoria. The MPA was established primarily to protect the biodiversity of intertidal rock platforms, with only limited restrictions being placed on fishing. Visitor surveys were undertaken to identify and quantify recreational uses, assess level of compliance with regulations, identify the uses most likely to have damaging impacts on biota, and to assess awareness of, and support for, this MPA and for MPAs in general. A questionnaire survey of visitors supported observational survey findings concerning recreational use patterns and provided information on awareness about and attitudes towards conservation measures for this location and for Victoria's marine environment. The finding that about half the visitors were not aware that they were visiting a marine protected area has implications for future management of this area and MPAs in general. Most visitors indicated support for the concept of marine conservation areas and marine protected areas.
History
Journal
Australasian journal of environmental management
Volume
11
Issue
3
Pagination
201 - 211
Publisher
Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand
Location
Melbourne, Vic.
ISSN
1448-6563
eISSN
2159-5356
Language
eng
Publication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal
Copyright notice
Reproduced with the specific permission of the copyright owner.