Socioeconomic valuation of the marine environment in Wales: implications for coastal management A thesis presented to Bangor University for the Degree of Doctor in Philosophy By Ana Ruiz Frau School of Ocean Sciences Bangor University December 2010 Summary The present study identified and quantified the value of the marine environment to different users and non-users of the coast around Wales. Previous studies have tended to focus on the value of extractive activities only, whereas the present study investigated the implications of integrating a broader range of values and how this impacted the development of comprehensive marine spatial plans for the area. The study identified data inadequacies relating to non-extractive recreational activities in the area. The economic importance and spatial distribution of the activities (i.e. diving, kayaking, wildlife cruises and bird watching) were investigated using questionnaires. The study revealed that non-extractive recreational users spent between £21.8 and £33 million in 2008 in Wales. The integration of this information with existing fine scale fisheries data in the design of marine reserves was investigated using a site-selection algorithm. The incorporation of spatially explicit economic data for recreation resulted in reserves that were considerably less costly to the recreational sector than reserves designed without the consideration of recreational interests without any extra costs to the fisheries sector. The perceived distribution of values and benefits derived from the marine environment according to different stakeholder groups and their preferences for the location of marine reserves were assessed and mapped through interviews. The study suggested the existence of similar spatial distributions for certain benefits of the marine environment and particular areas were identified as providers of multiple benefits. Such data can be used to identify areas better suited for specific uses or management regulations. The integration of data on stakeholders’ priority areas for conservation in a site-selection algorithm suggested that in the case of Wales it is possible to integrate stakeholders’ preferences for the location of reserves without compromising conservation needs, potentially avoiding unnecessary conflicts between conservation and stakeholders’ interests. Society’s support for marine reserves in Wales was assessed through the use of a choice experiment survey. Findings identified generalised support for reserves with heterogeneous views on the size and management of the reserve. Results suggested that society is willing to pay for the conservation of the marine environment and that this willingness to pay is likely to be greater than the associated economic costs of protection. The integration of valuation techniques, survey methods and systematic conservation tools established herein should further the development of comprehensive marine spatial plans for the area. i DECLARATION This work has not previously been accepted in substance for any degree and is not being concurrently submitted in candidature for any degree. Signed………………………………………………………(candidate) Date …………………………………………………. STATEMENT 1 This dissertation is the result of my own independent work/investigation, except where otherwise stated. Other sources are acknowledged by footnotes giving explicit references. A bibliography is appended. Signed………………………………………………………(candidate) Date …………………………………………………. STATEMENT 2 I hereby give consent for my dissertation, if accepted, to be available for photocopying and for inter-library loan, and for the title and summary to be made available to outside organisations. Signed………………………………………………………(candidate) Date …………………………………………………. NB: Candidates on whose behalf a bar on access has been approved by the University, should use the following version of Statement 1. I hereby give consent for my thesis, if accepted, to be available for photocopying and for inter- library loan after expire of a bar on access approved by the University of Wales on the special recommendation of the Constituent Institution/University College concerned. Signed………………………………………………………(candidate) Date …………………………………………………. ii Acknowledgements The Ph.D. studentship was funded jointly by the Economic and Social Research Council and the Natural Environment Research Council of the United Kingdom (grant number ES/F009801/01). The work presented in this thesis would not have been possible without the assistance of many individual and organizations, to whom I am indebted. I would like to thank the help offered by all those who took part in the various surveys carried out during this Ph.D. Special thanks go to organizations such as the British SubAqua Club, Canoe Wales, RSPB, National Trust, Welsh Federation of Sea Anglers, Welsh Federation of Fishermen’s Association, Welsh Waters, Dyfi Discoveries, Aquaphobia, Puffin Island Cruises, Sterida and many more whose collaboration was crucial in the collection of the data that forms the basis of this study. I am also indebted to the Countryside Council for Wales for providing support and the biophysical data used in Chapters 6 & 7. I am very grateful to Dr James Gibbons for his help and guidance in the development of the choice experiment survey presented in Chapter 2 and without whom I would have been utterly lost. I am extremely grateful to Prof Hugh Possingham at the University of Queensland for supervising me for a four week placement while I learnt how to use the site- selection algorithm MARXAN (Chapters 6 & 7). I would like to give special thanks to Dan Segan and Carissa Klein for their invaluable help and for being so patient with me and my millions of questions. Prof Gareth Edwards-Jones and Prof Michel Kaiser at Bangor University have been exceedingly supportive and enthusiastic throughout the Ph.D. and I would like to thank them for their constant advice during these three years. Very, very special thanks go to my comrade-in-arms, Maria Hadjimichael, with whom I have shared all the ups and downs of this long journey and without whom these years would not have been so memorable. Thanks Maria! My deepest thanks go to my partner Hilmar for his unfaltering support, encouragement, advice and patience throughout these years. Vielen Dank mein Schatz für all Deine Hilfe und Unterstützung während dieser Zeit. I als meus pares, els millors, que m’han fet costat durant tots aquest anys. Mil grasis iii Contents Chapter 1.................................................................................................. 1 General Introduction ................................................................................................ 1 Chapter 2................................................................................................ 16 Valuing society’s desire for marine protected areas .............................................. 16 2.1 Abstract................................................................................................................... 17 2.2 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 18 2.3 Materials and Methods........................................................................................... 21 2.3.1 Area of study......................................................................................... 21 2.3.3 Experimental design and data collection............................................... 24 2.3.4 Choice Experiments Econometrics ....................................................... 26 2.3.6 Latent Class segmentation .................................................................... 29 2.4 Results..................................................................................................................... 30 2.4.1 Public attitudes towards marine conservation....................................... 30 2.4.2 Choice experiments results ................................................................... 31 2.4.3 Best fitting model. The Latent Class Model ......................................... 31 2.4.4 Welfare measures................................................................................. 34 2.4.5 The costs and WTP for MPAs in Wales ............................................... 35 2.5 Discussion................................................................................................................ 36 Chapter 3................................................................................................ 40 Spatially explicit valuation of cultural ecosystem services: non-consumptive marine recreational activities in temperate coastal areas ....................................... 40 3.1 Abstract.................................................................................................................... 41 3.2 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 42 3.3 Materials and methods............................................................................................ 44 3.3.1 Study area.............................................................................................. 44 3.3.2 Survey design........................................................................................ 45 3.3.3 Spatial distribution of activities and related expenditure...................... 49 3.4 Results...................................................................................................................... 50 3.4.1 Scuba