appendix 15.2: pasha dere beach usage survey filepasha dere beach is away from the main road and...

Appendix 15.2: Pasha Dere Beach Usage Survey

URS-EIA-REP-202375

Table of Contents 15.2 Pasha Dere Beach Usage Survey ............................................................................. 1

15.2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 1 15.2.2 Beach Surveys .......................................................................................... 1

15.2.2.1 Survey Dates, Times and Weather Conditions ...................................... 1 15.2.2.2 Survey Teams .................................................................................... 2 15.2.2.3 Methodology ..................................................................................... 3

15.2.3 Beach Survey Results ................................................................................ 4 15.2.3.1 Survey One – August, 2012 ................................................................ 4 15.2.3.2 Survey Two – September, 2012........................................................... 6 15.2.3.3 Other Survey Observations and Activities .......................................... 10 15.2.3.4 Summary of Key Findings ................................................................. 15

URS-EIA-REP-202375 i

Appendix 15.2 Pasha Dere Beach Usage Survey

Tables

Table 15.2.1 August Survey Dates, Times and Weather Conditions .......................................... 1

Table 15.2.2 September Survey Dates, Times and Weather Conditions ..................................... 2

Table 15.2.3 General demographic breakdown of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach 18 to 22 August, 2012 (Total Number of Visitors) ............................................................................................. 5

Table 15.2.4 General demographic breakdown of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach 20 to 24 September, 2012 (Total Number of Visitors) .............................................................. 8

Table 15.2.5 Beach activities observed at Pasha Dere Beach in August (Total Number of Visitors) ......................................................................................................................................... 12

Table 15.2.6 Number of temporary structures (Total Number of Structures) ........................... 13

Figures

Figure 15.2.1 Number of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach – August Survey ................................... 4

Figure 15.2.2 Daily volume of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach (% of estimated maximum daily volume) ............................................................................................................................... 6

Figure 15.2.3 Number of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach – September Survey ............................. 7

Figure 15.2.4 Daily volume of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach (% of estimated maximum daily volume) ............................................................................................................................... 8

Figure 15.4.5 Recreational fishing ........................................................................................ 10

Figure 15.2.6 Watersport activities ....................................................................................... 11

Figure 15.2.7 Camper vans and tents observed at Pasha Dere Beach ..................................... 13

Figure 15.2.8 Location of Camping Sites at Pasha Dere Beach ............................................... 14

ii URS-EIA-REP-202375

15.2 Pasha Dere Beach Usage Survey

15.2.1 Introduction

Surveys of Pasha Dere Beach were undertaken from 18 to 22 August 2012 and from 20 to 24 September 2012 to observe and monitor the number of people visiting Pasha Dere Beach and the type of activities being engaged in by beach users.

Pasha Dere Beach is away from the main road and there are no sealed roads leading to the beach, only unsealed roads (dirt roads) and tracks. As such, the beach is not easily accessible by car due to the poor quality of the unsealed roads and many visitors use off-road and 4x4 vehicles in order to reach the beach. There are two main road approaches: 2 km via the Right-of-Way of the Galata Gas Pipeline, and 1 km from Rakitnik and Chernomorets Beach. There is also a southern access road which appears to be less frequently used.

Pasha Dere Beach and the adjacent Liman protected area are not managed, although they are officially within the jurisdiction of the municipal authorities. There are also no facilities, such as potable water, electricity, or toilets at the beach.

15.2.2 Beach Surveys

Two surveys were conducted to evaluate a possible variation in beach use from peak season (August) to off-season (September).

The following section outlines the survey activities, dates and times and the methodology followed.

15.2.2.1 Survey Dates, Times and Weather Conditions

Survey one was conducted from 18 to 22 August 2012 on the following days and times, in weather conditions as indicated in Table 15.2.1.

Table 15.2.1 August Survey Dates, Times and Weather Conditions

Date Time Weather conditions

Time Weather conditions

Max temperature reached on the day

Saturday, 18 August 2012

10.30am Sunny, no wind 3.30pm Partly cloudy 29

Sunday, 19 August 2012

11am Sunny, slight wind

3.30pm Partly cloudy, windy

29

Continued…

URS-EIA-REP-202375 1





Monday, 20 August 2012

11.30am Sunny, no wind 4.30pm Sunny, slight wind 30

Tuesday, 21 August 2012

11.30am Sunny, no wind 3.30pm Sunny, slight wind 34

Wednesday, 22 August 2012

11.30am Sunny, cloudless, slight wind

3.30pm Sunny, cloudless, slight wind

30

Complete.

Survey two was conducted from 20 to 24 September 2012 on the following days and times, in weather conditions as indicated Table 15.2.2:

Table 15.2.2 September Survey Dates, Times and Weather Conditions




Thursday, 20 September 2012

11am Sunny, mild wind

3.30pm Sunny, mild wind 24

Friday, 21 September 2012

11am Cloudy, rainy, strong wind

4pm Cloudy, rainy, strong wind

16

Saturday, 22 September 2012

11.30am Cloudy, no rain, windy

4.30pm Cloudy, no rain, windy

21

Sunday, 23 September 2012

11am Sunny, mild wind

3.30pm Sunny, warm, mild wind

27

Monday, 24 September 2012

11.30am Sunny, warm, mild wind

3.30pm Sunny, warm, mild wind

26

15.2.2.2 Survey Teams

They surveys were carried out by a team from the Bulgarian sub-consultants Povvik AD.

2 URS-EIA-REP-202375

15.2.2.3 Methodology

Survey design

The methodology for undertaking the beach usage surveys was developed specifically to address the data needs of the socio-economic assessment of the Project on beach users at Pasha Dere Beach. The survey zone included the entire length of Pasha Dere Beach as well as the forest areas immediately behind the beach.

The beach was surveyed at weekends, considered to be the peak time for beach usage, as well as on three weekdays in both August and September. Surveyors were present at the beach between approximately 8am and 6.30pm each day, and took precise counts of the number of users along the entire beach twice a day; once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The duration of each survey observation was approximately one hour due to the time required to walk from one end of the beach to the other and accurately record the data.

For each survey, a count was taken of the number of visitors, types of activities, and of the approximate demographic characteristics of users. In addition, other observations of interest were recorded throughout the survey period. Observations were recorded on a consistent basis for each survey in order to obtain a sample of data to allow comparisons between survey periods to be made.

Data collection methods

A pro forma form was used to capture data during survey periods and was prepared by the surveyors. Survey data was recorded for the following activities:

• Sunbathing;

• Fishing;

• Dog walking;

• Watersports;

• Beach sports;

• Organised activities; and

• Semi-commercial activities.

The surveys also included other observations so that information about special events, unusual occurrences or site features could be recorded.

For each visitor to Pasha Dere Beach, a record was also taken of demographic characteristics, including age and gender. Age was classified into: Children (up to 15 years old), young adults (15-20 years old), adults (21 to 60 years old) and senior adult (aged 60 and above). Observations are based on the surveyor’s interpretation and are therefore approximate. However, the data collected is considered to be reliable and consistent across both survey periods.



15.2.3 Beach Survey Results

15.2.3.1 Survey One – August, 2012

Survey one was carried on from Saturday 18 to Wednesday 22 August, 2012. The following section details the statistical results from this survey period and any observations on beach usage.

Statistical Results

The volume of beach visitors recorded in the morning and again in the afternoon, are shown in Figure 15.2.1.

Figure 15.2.1 Number of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach – August Survey

The figure shows that the highest number of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach was on the weekend. The highest peak of visitors on Sunday was between 11am and 12pm, and by 11.30am there were approximately 50 cars and 322 people on the beach. On Saturday more visitors to Pasha Dere Beach arrived in the afternoon; however, on Sunday the majority of visitors arrived at the beach in the morning. The lowest number of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach is on Monday. Most visitors to the beach on Monday and Tuesday arrived during the morning but on Wednesday, more visitors arrived during the afternoon.

Table 15.2.3 shows the general demographic breakdown of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

18.8.2012 19.8.2012 20.8.2012 21.8.2012 22.8.2012Te

mpe

ratu

re C

Num

ber o

f visi

tors

Dates of observations

Morning Afternoon Temperature RHS


Table 15.2.3 General demographic breakdown of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach 18 to 22 August, 2012 (Total Number of Visitors)

Date and Hour Sat,

18 Aug

Sun,

19 Aug

Mon,

20 Aug

Tues,

21 Aug

Wed,

22 Aug

10:30

15:30

11:00

15:30

11:30

16:30

11:30

15:30

11:30

15:30

Total 135 194 322 279 55 42 57 29 35 71

Male 60 81 154 125 27 25 29 14 19 40

Female 75 113 168 154 28 17 28 15 16 31

Couples (no children) 11 23 53 23 8 7 5 4 6 8

Families with children 18 27 81 49 12 8 10 5 5 14

No. children per family* 3 2.5 3.8 2.5 3 2.5 3.5 2.5 2.5 3.5

Children 37 33 60 83 16 10 19 10 6 19

Young adults 11 44 74 51 5 4 4 3 1 6

Senior adults 16 7 18 11 2 0 5 0 4 6

No. of groups 30 35 48 52 9 3 6 2 2 5

Average size of group* 5 4 5 4 3 3 4 3 3 4

Estimated Bulgarian and non-Bulgarian beach users*

98 90 99 95 100 80 100 70 100 100

Children (0-15 years); Young adults (15-20 years); Older adults (60 and above) * Estimated ratio only, based on observations of languages being spoken by those people on the beach.

Table 15.2.3 shows that on Saturday and Sunday there was a higher proportion of women than men at the beach; however, this changed on Monday through to Wednesday, with more men than women visiting the beach. The majority of families visiting the beach with children were at the beach on Sunday, with most of these families arriving in the morning. The number of young children (up to 15 years old) was highest on Sunday afternoon, while the number of young adults (15 to 20 years old) and senior adults (above 60 years) was highest on Sunday morning.

Based on general observations over the entire day, the overall daily volumes of visitors to the beach have been estimated as a percentage of the maximum daily volume to show average visitor number patterns over an entire day. See Figure 15.2.2.



Figure 15.2.2 Daily volume of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach (% of estimated maximum daily volume)

Observations

On Sunday, people began arriving at Pasha Dere Beach at 8am and tended to sit in the trees at Rakitnik and Chernomorets Beach. The usual daily peak of visitors occurred between 11.30am to 12.30pm. At 1pm to 2pm, the temperature peaked at 29 degrees for the day and visitors began to leave the beach at that time. At 3pm to 4pm there, visitor numbers increased again although the number of visitors did not exceed the earlier peak. Many of these visitors stayed on at the beach for the rest of the day. At approximately 6pm most visitors left the beach. By 6.30pm, with the sun lower in the sky and the beach becoming overshadowed by the forest and landfall to the west, the beach was almost completely free of people. However, people camping in tents did remain in the area.

On Saturday and Sunday, approximately 20 tents with an estimated 60 people camped for the night in the camping area.

15.2.3.2 Survey Two – September, 2012

The second survey of Pasha Dere Beach was carried out from Thursday 20 to Monday 24 September 2012. The following section details the statistical results from this survey period and any observations on beach usage.

Statistical Results

The volume of beach visitors recorded in the morning and again in the afternoon, are shown in Figure 15.2.3.

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

08:30 10:30 12:30 14:30 16:30 18:30

Perc

enta

ge o

f dai

ly m

axim

um

Observation time


Figure 15.2.3 Number of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach – September Survey

Figure 15.2.3 shows that there were far fewer visitors to Pasha Dere Beach in September. This is likely to reflect both the fact that it was the off-season and the number of people on holiday is lower. However, visitor patterns during the September survey also reflect the weather and temperature conditions that prevailed over the survey period. For example, on Friday and Saturday the temperatures were relatively low and there were no visitors observed; however, on Sunday the temperatures were higher (approximately 27 degrees) and there were a surge of visitors to the beach, peaking in the afternoon. Although temperatures remained high on the Monday (26 degrees) there were far fewer visitors to Pasha Dere Beach.

See Table 2 for temperature and weather conditions recorded throughout the survey periods.

Based on general observations over the entire day, the overall daily volumes of visitors to the beach have been estimated as a percentage of the maximum daily volume to show average visitor number patterns over a day. See Figure 15.2.4.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

20.9.2012 21.9.2012 22.9.2012 23.9.2012 24.9.2012

Tem

pera

ture

C

Num

ber o

f visi

tors

Dates of observations

Morning Afternoon Temperature RHS



Figure 15.2.4 Daily volume of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach (% of estimated maximum daily volume)

Table 15.2.4 shows the general demographic breakdown of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach.

Table 15.2.4 General demographic breakdown of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach 20 to 24 September, 2012 (Total Number of Visitors)

Date and Hour Thu,

20 Sep

Fri,

21 Sep

Sat,

22 Sep

Sun,

23 Sep

Mon,

24 Sep

10:30 15:30 11:00 15:30 11:30 16:30 11:30 15:30 11:30 15:30

Total 5 8 0 0 0 0 21 78 7 13

Male 4 6 0 0 0 0 13 47 4 9

Female 1 2 0 0 0 0 8 31 3 4

Couples (no children)

1 2 0 0 0 0 3 16 3 4

Families with children

0 0 0 0 0 0 1 11 0 0

Continued…

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

08:30 10:30 12:30 14:30 16:30 18:30

Perc

enta

ge o

f dai

ly m

axim

um

Observation time


Date and Hour Thu,

20 Sep

Fri,

21 Sep

Sat,

22 Sep

Sun,

23 Sep

Mon,

24 Sep

10:30 15:30 11:00 15:30 11:30 16:30 11:30 15:30 11:30 15:30

No. children per family*

0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1.2 0 0

Children 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 0

Young adults 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0

Senior adults 0 2 0 0 0 0 3 11 2 2

No. of groups 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0

Average size of group*

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0

Estimated Bulgarian and non-Bulgarian beach users*

100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Children (0-15 years); Young adults (15-20 years); Senior adults (60 and above) * Estimated ratio only, based on observations of languages being spoken by those people on the beach.

Complete.

In September, the highest number of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach were male. Young adults and children visited the beach much less frequently.

Observations

There was an overall decline in the number of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach observed during the September survey. The start of the school term in September usually marks the end of the holiday season, and during the rest of September Pasha Dere Beach is only infrequently visited by people. The weather in September appeared to be the other factor determining the number of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach. In general, Pasha Dere Beach appeared to experience an increase in visitors once the temperature rose beyond 22 to 23 degrees.

The weekend continues to be the peak time for visitors, although in September this shifts from the morning to the afternoon. It was also observed that people did not camp overnight by the beach in September.

The demographic breakdown of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach in September was similar to that observed in the August survey; however, young adults (aged 15-20 years old) were largely not observed at the beach.

There was one artisanal fisherman, one motor boat and one sailing boat observed over the September survey period. On Sunday, five dogs were observed on the beach with their owners.



15.2.3.3 Other Survey Observations and Activities

The following section details observations of the various activities engaged in by beach users. This includes both passive and active activities.

Activities

Sunbathing

Sunbathing was the most popular activity for visitors to Pasha Dere Beach, with approximately 90 to 95% of visitors sunbathing. As there are no privatised or managed sections of the beach, most visitors brought their own beach equipment, including tents, tables, umbrellas, chairs, and beach toys (e.g. ball, bat, bucket).

At the north and south ends of Pasha Dere Beach there are also small numbers of naturists sunbathing.

Fishing

There was some recreational fishing taking place from Pasha Dere Beach, although this accounted for a small proportion of overall beach users; with approximately 3 to 5 artisanal fishers fishing from the beach using fishing rods, as well a few people fishing in a single boat (Figure 15.2.5).

Figure 15.4.5 Recreational fishing


The fishermen were observed early in the morning, before the first count at 11am. The catch (mullet and scad) was small and for personal consumption, as often the fishermen were part of the camping groups and would cook the fish over camp fires in the early evening. In addition, the fishermen would dive to collect black sea mussels: on Monday, one fisherman with a harpoon was observed.

Dog Walking

Some families and groups brought their dogs with them to Pasha Dere Beach. Approximately two to five dogs were observed, with most dog walkers visiting the beach at the same time every day during the survey period.

Watersports

Watersport activities are only carried out by a small number of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach (Figure 15.2.6). The watersport activities observed were kayaking, and on Sunday, two jetskis and one motorboat. It is likely that these visitors came from beach areas to the north of Pasha Dere Beach, e.g. Fichoza.

Figure 15.2.6 Watersport activities



Beach Sports

The most popular beach sport was beach volleyball, particularly on Saturday and Sunday.

Organised Activities

On three consecutive days (Saturday to Monday) an organised group consisting of approximately 20 Russian-speaking teenagers and a small number of group leaders came to Pasha Dere Beach. These groups had yellow bracelets, indicating that they were from a nearby all inclusive resort.

Table 15.2.5 shows the number of visitors engaging in beach activities.

Table 15.2.5 Beach activities observed at Pasha Dere Beach in August (Total Number of Visitors)

Date and Hour Sat,

18 Aug

Sun,

19 Aug

Mon,

20 Aug

Tues,

21 Aug

Wed,

22 Aug

10:30 15:30 11:00 15:30 11:30 16:30 11:30 15:30 11:30 15:30

Sunbathing 96 144 295 251 50 40 50 29 33 68

Fishing 5 0 5 3 2 0 0 0 0 0

Dog walk ing 4 2 5 6 2 4 3 3 2 3

Watersports 3 2 3 8 1 0 0 0 0 0

Beach sports 2 0 22 15 0 0 0 0 0 0

Organised activities 0 26 0 18 0 22 0 18 0 0

Semi-commercial* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

* Small scale, informal commercial activity, such as people selling mussels and soft drinks, has been witnessed on other occasions; however no such activity was witnessed during the beach surveys.

Other Observations

The cars in the informal car park primarily had Varna District number plates, with only a few cars from outside of Varna.

Camping

Tents were observed near Pasha Dere Beach, with some groups located near to Liman protected area and other groups located north of the Liman protected area (close to one of the entry points to the beach). See Figure 15.2.7 and Figure 15.2.8.


Figure 15.2.7 Camper vans and tents observed at Pasha Dere Beach

The number of tents, and other temporary structures (i.e. camper vans and bivouac tents), located on the beach or within 300 metres of the beach were recorded and are shown in Table 15.2.6. No commercial activities were observed during the survey period.

Table 15.2.6 Number of temporary structures (Total Number of Structures)

Date and Hour

Sat,

18 Aug

Sun,

19 Aug

Mon,

20 Aug

Tue,

21 Aug

Wed,

22 Aug

10:30 15:30 11:00 15:30 11:30 16:30 11:30 15:30 11:30 15:30

Tent 25 25 47 19 5 8 8 8 8 8

Camper vans

3 3 3 0 1 1 1 1 1 1

Bivouac tents

5 5 6 5 2 2 2 2 2 2



Figure 15.2.8 Location of Camping Sites at Pasha Dere Beach


15.2.3.4 Summary of Key Findings

The beach survey confirmed that Pasha Dere Beach is a popular recreational asset, especially during the summer season.

The number and frequency of visitors to Pasha Dere Beach is dependent on the weather and climate conditions. When the weather conditions are warm (above 22-23 degrees) and sunny, the beach has more visitors.

The majority of beach users engaged in passive recreational activities, such as sunbathing, rather than physically active activities, although recreational fishing was observed, as well as some watersport activities.


appendix 15.2: pasha dere beach usage survey filepasha dere beach is away from the main road and...

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