Sea-kayaker satisfactions, impact perceptions, and attitudes toward management options in Abel Tasman National Park

Cessford, G.

Department of Conservation

1998

Department of Conservation

www.doc.govt.nz

Sea kayakers in the Abel Tasman National Park were surveyed in January–February 1994 as part of a wider study of track users in New Zealand. Their visit evaluations were highly positive, suggesting little dissatisfaction or any need for urgent management action. Other results indicated that further improvements to visit quality would be best achieved through addressing minor physical impact concerns, and improving the use of campsites. Perceptions of crowding appeared high for this type of activity, and assessment of social and physical impacts highlighted perceptions of campsite congestion, conflict with motorboats, littering, and uncertain water hygiene as the main perceived problems. Given the likelihood of increasing levels of use, further visit experience problems appear likely to emerge, particularly relating to campsite congestion. Kayakers favoured information-based management to address increasing use-pressures rather than more regulatory controls, and indicated a preference for limits and controls on motorboat activities. Current high perceptions of crowding suggest that while some time may be available for information-based approaches to be applied to achieve long-term control, more immediate attention to campsite congestion and motorboat conflict issues may be required. Rapid growth in sea-kayaking activity since the survey may have exacerbated some of these issues.

Keywords:

Kayak, Sea, Ocean, Abel Tasman, National Park, Park, Conflict, Satisfaction

Visit/Download now

Survey

Tasman

Outdoor Recreation

Tourists

Outdoors

Coast and beach, National Parks

Barriers, Benefits, Fees, charges, user pays, Impacts - economic, Impacts - environmental, Impacts- social, Participation, Tourism

Canoeing/kayaking

1738

July 16, 2012