Increasing participation in outdoor recreation is a key objective of the Welsh Assembly Government. Marine and coastal environments provide many diverse opportunities for recreation and the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) is working to extend access to the Welsh coastline as set out in the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Marine and coastal recreation encompasses a wide range of activities, the scale and impacts of which vary considerably around Wales’ coastline and throughout the year.
LUC conducted an audit of existing information and knowledge on marine and coastal recreation for CCW. This work is now informing the selection of Marine Conservation Zones that will have a high level of protection to implement the Marine Act in Wales.
The study was divided into two stages. The first stage identified, analysed and mapped existing data on recreational activities which was validated through consultation with key bodies and a robustness test. The second stage reviewed promotional material and guidance on recreational activities in relation to their compatibility with marine protected areas.
The research found that:• Amongst the wide range of activities that occur along Wales’ coastline, hot spots of activity clearly overlap with nature conservation and landscape designations. • Little or no information is available on the intensity of use or the popularity of specific activities. Whilst walking, swimming, cycling and golf fall within the top ten most popular activities for adults, surveys make no distinction between inland and coastal activities.• Whilst canoeing, cycling, diving, sailing and walking have increased in participation, activities such as angling and surfing have experienced a decline. New emerging activities include coasteering and personal watercraft use.
Recommendations from the research sought to fill the current gaps in information and were based on gathering evidence for the whole of Wales and not just specific locations:1. Update, verify and add further data in order to obtain an accurate picture of marine and coastal recreation.2. Present information spatially completing gaps on intensity of use in order to make judgements on the popularity of specific locations.3. Coordinate a marketing and promotion strategy giving careful consideration to how activities are promoted to both the local community and holiday makers.
Our coastlines are subject to increasing pressure from people making the most of the high quality environment and looking for the excitement and pleasure this can bring. If conflict between recreational users and the environment they value is to be avoided, it is important that we understand where the most popular recreational activities are taking place, and how they are changing. This study will help CCW protect the best of what the coastline of Wales has to offer now and in the future.
