Koh Chang MPA: Research to Koh Chang MPA: Research to Aid in Zoning and Aid in Zoning and

Management .Management .

Philip Dearden, Karen TopelkoPhilip Dearden, Karen TopelkoMarine Protected Areas Research Marine Protected Areas Research

Group,Group,University of Victoria, CanadaUniversity of Victoria, Canada

ZoningZoning

– Demarcates sub-areas/activities/regulationsDemarcates sub-areas/activities/regulations• No-take zonesNo-take zones

• Fisheries zonesFisheries zones

• Recreational zones, activities and Recreational zones, activities and

intensityintensity

Study Site: Study Site: Ko Chang Marine National Park Ko Chang Marine National Park (MNP)(MNP)

• Popular tourist destination, located ~300km east of Bangkok • Designated as a protected area in 1982• Covers 650km² • Managed by Marine Parks Division of the Department of Wildlife and Plant Conservation• All officially no-take• Park management objectives: (1) protect forests and natural resources, (2) promote recreation and tourism, (3) encourage research and education• Enforcement problematic

Project Goal & Project Goal & ObjectivesObjectives

To evaluate resident fishers’ reliance on

fishing grounds within Ko Chang marine park.

To determine residents’ dependence on fishing as a primary source of income.

To calculate total catch and effort of local residents.

To map the locations of fishers’ key fishing grounds within the park.

Lunn, K.E., and Dearden, P. (2006). Fisher’s needs in marine protected area zoning. Lunn, K.E., and Dearden, P. (2006). Fisher’s needs in marine protected area zoning. Coastal ManagementCoastal Management,, 34 34 (2), 183-198.(2), 183-198.Lunn, K.E., and Dearden, P. (2006). Monitoring small-scale marine fisheries: An example from the Ko Lunn, K.E., and Dearden, P. (2006). Monitoring small-scale marine fisheries: An example from the Ko Chang archipelago, Thailand. Chang archipelago, Thailand. Fisheries ResearchFisheries Research,, 77, 60-7177, 60-71

Key FindingsKey Findings

25-30% of households on Ko Chang relied on 25-30% of households on Ko Chang relied on fishing as main source of year-round incomefishing as main source of year-round income

Fisheries-dependent villages located Fisheries-dependent villages located primarily in southern portion of parkprimarily in southern portion of park

Objective 1: Residents’ dependence on fishing as primary income source

• Small-scale fisheries Small-scale fisheries focused on invertebratesfocused on invertebrates

• Small-scale fishers used Small-scale fishers used non-destructive gearnon-destructive gear

• Resident fishers made an Resident fishers made an estimated 35,000 estimated 35,000 trips/yeartrips/year

• Landed an estimated Landed an estimated 375,000 kg in 2002-2003375,000 kg in 2002-2003

Objective 2: Small-scale fishers’ catch

and effort

Objective 3: Identify locations of fishing grounds

• 95% of marine area in Ko Chang MNP is reportedly fished

• Found as much as 52% concordance among fishers’ maps

• Greatest concordance on west and south coasts of Ko Chang

Implications for Implications for ManagementManagement

Issues in park management:Issues in park management:• No community involvement in park No community involvement in park

planning or implementationplanning or implementation

• Misconception that small-scale fisheries Misconception that small-scale fisheries can not lead to the over-exploitation of can not lead to the over-exploitation of resourcesresources

• Inappropriate division of management Inappropriate division of management responsibilitiesresponsibilities

Recreational ZoningRecreational Zoning• Tour operators use low-Tour operators use low-

speed vessels capable of speed vessels capable of carrying 50-120 carrying 50-120 passengers per trip. passengers per trip.

• It takes about 1 ½ hour to It takes about 1 ½ hour to reach first snorkeling site.reach first snorkeling site.

• Visitors are taken to 3-4 Visitors are taken to 3-4 different sites where they different sites where they snorkel for ~45 minutes.snorkel for ~45 minutes.

• Fringing reefs with water Fringing reefs with water depths that range from 2-depths that range from 2-15 metres.15 metres.

Vulnerability of Coral Vulnerability of Coral Communities to TramplingCommunities to Trampling

• Water Depth (for snorkelling)Water Depth (for snorkelling)

• Coral Community CompositionCoral Community Composition

BRANCHINGCORALS

MASSIVE, SUBMASSIVE,

FOLIOSE, TABLE &

MUSHROOMCORALS

SOFTCORALS

ENCRUSTING CORALS

INCREASING VULNERABILITY TO TRAMPLING IMPACTS

MPA Zoning for Conservation:MPA Zoning for Conservation:Other Ecological ConsiderationsOther Ecological Considerations

• Habitat complexity & diversityHabitat complexity & diversity

• Size of core conservation zonesSize of core conservation zones

• Suitability for restoring Suitability for restoring

branching staghorn corals branching staghorn corals

((Acropora spp.Acropora spp.) )

Visitor Survey: Summary of Visitor Survey: Summary of Social & Economic Considerations Social & Economic Considerations for MPA Zoningfor MPA Zoning

– Main Goals: Main Goals: •Satisfied visitorsSatisfied visitors

•Long-term economic viability of tourismLong-term economic viability of tourism

•Alternative livelihoods for coastal fishersAlternative livelihoods for coastal fishers

VISITOR SURVEY: RESULTS & VISITOR SURVEY: RESULTS & IMPLICATIONS: OVERALL SATISFACTIONIMPLICATIONS: OVERALL SATISFACTION

•48% ‘somewhat satisfied’

•21% ‘very satisfied’

•13% ‘neither satisfied nor dissatisfied’

•6% ‘somewhat unsatisfied’

•2% ‘very unsatisfied’

•Much room for improvement

•Ideally, experiences should exceed expectations

Top Problem Conditions (Q4) & Top Problem Conditions (Q4) & Management Management RecommendationsRecommendations• #1: Dead/unhealthy coral#1: Dead/unhealthy coral

– Redirect visitors to Tourism Zones (these are Redirect visitors to Tourism Zones (these are aesthetically pleasing AND resilient)aesthetically pleasing AND resilient)

– Restore degraded coralsRestore degraded corals

• #2 & #3: Garbage on beaches & in the ocean#2 & #3: Garbage on beaches & in the ocean– Clean up campaignsClean up campaigns– Improve waste collection & disposalImprove waste collection & disposal– Information campaignsInformation campaigns

• #4: Fishing gear on the seafloor#4: Fishing gear on the seafloor– Separate tourism & fishing through zoningSeparate tourism & fishing through zoning

• #5: Tour staff did not provide info.#5: Tour staff did not provide info.– Better tour guide servicesBetter tour guide services

• #6: Too many other snorkellers#6: Too many other snorkellers– Zone some reefs for low use (Ecotourism Zones)Zone some reefs for low use (Ecotourism Zones)

VISITOR SURVEY FIELD RESEARCH:VISITOR SURVEY FIELD RESEARCH:‘LAC’ SCOPING‘LAC’ SCOPING

•Compared visitor responses to measured conditions

Suggested LAC standards for coral conditions:

CMI<0.40 (dead coral cover less than 40%)

Area of dead patches<25 m2

No support in favour of different LAC standards in different zones

Suggested LAC Standards For # of People:

<30 people in Ecotourism Zones (particularly important for reducing crowding of foreign tourists)

<3 boats, and only small boats, in Ecotourism Zones

No LAC standard required for Tourism Zones

Roman, G., Dearden, P., and Rollins, R. 2007. Multiple-use zoning and tourism in Marine Protected Areas: A case study of Mu Koh Roman, G., Dearden, P., and Rollins, R. 2007. Multiple-use zoning and tourism in Marine Protected Areas: A case study of Mu Koh

Chang National Marine Park, Thailand. Chang National Marine Park, Thailand. Environmental ManagementEnvironmental Management. . 39: 819-83039: 819-830

Planning the Seascape: Planning the Seascape: Application of the ROS Application of the ROS

framework to maximize visitor framework to maximize visitor satisfaction in Koh Chang satisfaction in Koh Chang

Marine National Park, Marine National Park, ThailandThailand

Karen Topelko, Phil Dearden, Karen Topelko, Phil Dearden, Rick RollinsRick Rollins

MPARG, University of VictoriaMPARG, University of VictoriaVictoria, BC CanadaVictoria, BC Canada

ObjectivesObjectives

1.1. To identify elements of the visitor To identify elements of the visitor experience that contribute to experience that contribute to satisfaction.satisfaction.

2.2. To examine the influence of To examine the influence of visitor visitor characteristicscharacteristics on satisfaction. on satisfaction.

3.3. To make recommendations towards To make recommendations towards improving the visitor experience, improving the visitor experience, managing negative impacts.managing negative impacts.

Conceptual Framework - Conceptual Framework - ROSROS• Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) is Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) is

a planning and management tool for a planning and management tool for inventorying and describing recreational inventorying and describing recreational opportunities in a variety of settings.opportunities in a variety of settings.

• Settings are a function of Settings are a function of physicalphysical (infrastructure, weather), (infrastructure, weather), naturalnatural (corals, (corals, fish), fish), socialsocial (encounters with others), and (encounters with others), and managerial conditionsmanagerial conditions (services, (services, rules/regulations). rules/regulations).

• Different opportunity settings give Different opportunity settings give recreationists many options from which to recreationists many options from which to choose.choose.

Conceptual Framework - Conceptual Framework - ROSROS• Implementation of ROS requires the Implementation of ROS requires the

following:following: an understanding of the influence of setting an understanding of the influence of setting

characteristics on visitor experiences,characteristics on visitor experiences, an understanding of the relationships between an understanding of the relationships between

activities and impacts,activities and impacts, an understanding of visitor expectations, andan understanding of visitor expectations, and management plans that reflect and preserve a management plans that reflect and preserve a

range of opportunities.range of opportunities.• ROS provides for sensitive areas to be ROS provides for sensitive areas to be

identified and protected, and other areas identified and protected, and other areas more capable of withstanding heavier levels more capable of withstanding heavier levels of use to be used for more intense forms of of use to be used for more intense forms of recreation. recreation.

Data CollectionData CollectionData collected February-April, 2005 using 3 Data collected February-April, 2005 using 3

methods:methods:• Personal observationsPersonal observations• Informal interviewsInformal interviews• Structured questionnairesStructured questionnaires

Tour Operator SurveyTour Operator Survey ( (nn=8, 88% response =8, 88% response rate)rate)•Capacity, trip characteristics, perceptions of Capacity, trip characteristics, perceptions of

quality of environment/impact of activities, quality of environment/impact of activities, support for managementsupport for management

Visitor SurveyVisitor Survey ( (nn=716, 90%=716, 90%++ response rate) response rate)•Demographics, satisfactions, knowledge of Demographics, satisfactions, knowledge of

reefs, crowding, encounter norms, perceptions reefs, crowding, encounter norms, perceptions of impactof impact

Findings: The SettingFindings: The Setting• Little variation between snorkeling Little variation between snorkeling

settingssettings with respect to managerial, with respect to managerial, physical, and social conditions. physical, and social conditions. There were few rules in place to manage There were few rules in place to manage

operators or visitors, and existing operators or visitors, and existing regulations were poorly enforced. As a regulations were poorly enforced. As a result, impacts of use on biological and result, impacts of use on biological and social values were not managed. social values were not managed.

Visitors received very little instructive or Visitors received very little instructive or interpretive information, particularly interpretive information, particularly foreigners. Few boats had English-speaking foreigners. Few boats had English-speaking staff on board, and interpretive materials staff on board, and interpretive materials (brochures, posters, maps, etc.) were generally (brochures, posters, maps, etc.) were generally unavailable. unavailable.

Findings: The Setting, Findings: The Setting, cont’dcont’d Similar comforts and conveniences were provided on Similar comforts and conveniences were provided on

board all boats observed. Snorkeling equipment was board all boats observed. Snorkeling equipment was provided, as were washroom facilities, food and provided, as were washroom facilities, food and drinks. drinks.

Use levels oscillated between low, moderate, and Use levels oscillated between low, moderate, and high, but inter-party contacts were frequent and often high, but inter-party contacts were frequent and often unavoidable. unavoidable.

Physical characteristics of snorkeling sites served to Physical characteristics of snorkeling sites served to concentrate use in small areas. Opportunities to concentrate use in small areas. Opportunities to experience isolation were uncertain and experience isolation were uncertain and unpredictable.unpredictable.

Behaviours that can have negative impacts on the Behaviours that can have negative impacts on the quality of the reef were regularly observed, including quality of the reef were regularly observed, including anchoring on top of coral, littering, touching/kicking anchoring on top of coral, littering, touching/kicking corals, fishing, handling marine life, and fish feeding. corals, fishing, handling marine life, and fish feeding.

Findings: The SnorkelersFindings: The Snorkelers• The characteristics of the snorkelers in The characteristics of the snorkelers in

Koh Chang were similar to other reef Koh Chang were similar to other reef visitors.visitors. Young, highly educated, prior reef Young, highly educated, prior reef

experience.experience.

• However, visitors with different cultural However, visitors with different cultural backgrounds had significantly different backgrounds had significantly different participation characteristics. participation characteristics. Thai visitors were less familiar with Thai visitors were less familiar with

snorkeling, marine environments, and coral snorkeling, marine environments, and coral reefs, and they invested less money in the reefs, and they invested less money in the activity and the setting.activity and the setting.

Findings: SatisfactionFindings: SatisfactionTHAI snorkelers were THAI snorkelers were more satisfied with: more satisfied with:

Number of other Number of other snorkelerssnorkelers

Number of boats Number of boats Information provided by Information provided by

boat crewboat crewCommitment to the Commitment to the

environment by boat environment by boat crewcrew

Safety procedures on Safety procedures on board the boatboard the boat

Opportunity to learn Opportunity to learn about coral reefsabout coral reefs

NON-THAI NON-THAI snorkelers were snorkelers were more satisfied with:more satisfied with:

Warm weather Warm weather Easy snorkeling Easy snorkeling

conditions conditions Attractive above-Attractive above-

water scenerywater sceneryLength of snorkeling Length of snorkeling

trip trip Cost of the snorkeling Cost of the snorkeling

triptrip

Findings: Crowding Findings: Crowding PerceptionsPerceptions • Satisfaction with the social setting was also Satisfaction with the social setting was also

measured using measured using crowding perceptionscrowding perceptions. . Crowding was measured using the 9-point scale Crowding was measured using the 9-point scale developed by Heberlein & Vaske (1977). developed by Heberlein & Vaske (1977).

• The scale ranges from “not at all crowded” to The scale ranges from “not at all crowded” to “extremely crowded”.“extremely crowded”.

Findings: Crowding Findings: Crowding Perceptions Perceptions • Thai and Non-Thai snorkelers evaluated crowding Thai and Non-Thai snorkelers evaluated crowding

very differently. Non-Thai snorkelers reported very differently. Non-Thai snorkelers reported feeling more crowded than Thai snorkelers, with feeling more crowded than Thai snorkelers, with 29% of Non-Thai visitors feeling “extremely 29% of Non-Thai visitors feeling “extremely crowded” compared with 10% of Thai visitors.crowded” compared with 10% of Thai visitors.

• Mean crowding scores were significantly higher Mean crowding scores were significantly higher for foreign visitors (for foreign visitors (Mean=6.1Mean=6.1, SD=2.1) than for , SD=2.1) than for domestic visitors (domestic visitors (Mean=5.1Mean=5.1, SD=2.0) (t=-, SD=2.0) (t=-5.957, df=685, p=.000). 5.957, df=685, p=.000).

• Results demonstrate that attitudes about levels of Results demonstrate that attitudes about levels of use are subject to cultural differences, and use are subject to cultural differences, and support other studies that suggest that Asians support other studies that suggest that Asians can tolerate or adapt to higher levels of can tolerate or adapt to higher levels of encounters better than others (Anderson, 1972; encounters better than others (Anderson, 1972; Gillis et al., 1986; Hall, 1966; Homma, 1990).Gillis et al., 1986; Hall, 1966; Homma, 1990).

Findings: Crowding Findings: Crowding Perceptions, Perceptions, cont’dcont’d

3.0

7.3

9.8

21.6

11.6

19.5

17.1

3.4

6.7

1.9

4.7

8.9

9.7

18.8

18.6

16.6

12.5

8.3

0 5 10 15 20 25

Not at all crowded 1

Slightly crowded 3

5

7

Extremely crowded 9

Percent of respondentsThai Non-Thai

ConclusionsConclusions• There is diversity in the settings preferred by There is diversity in the settings preferred by

different visitors to coral reefs that is related to different visitors to coral reefs that is related to culture. For example, crowdingculture. For example, crowding is a significant is a significant issue for Non-Thai visitors.issue for Non-Thai visitors.

• Unfortunately, the marine park provides a Unfortunately, the marine park provides a single, uniform type of snorkeling experience. single, uniform type of snorkeling experience. There is little variation between snorkeling There is little variation between snorkeling environments and experiences with respect to environments and experiences with respect to access, on-site management, infrastructure, social access, on-site management, infrastructure, social interaction, and degree of regimentation. interaction, and degree of regimentation.

• Management prescriptions based on the “average Management prescriptions based on the “average snorkeler” may fail to provide subgroups with snorkeler” may fail to provide subgroups with satisfying experiences. satisfying experiences.

RecommendationsRecommendations• Quality in outdoor recreation is best assured Quality in outdoor recreation is best assured

through the provision of a diverse set of through the provision of a diverse set of opportunities to meet the range of tastes and opportunities to meet the range of tastes and preferences for recreational opportunities.preferences for recreational opportunities.

• Park managers and tour operators should seek to Park managers and tour operators should seek to diversify the recreation experiences and settings diversify the recreation experiences and settings offered to snorkelers in Koh Chang. offered to snorkelers in Koh Chang.

• Different park zones that designate level of use, Different park zones that designate level of use, type of use, amount of infrastructure, the services type of use, amount of infrastructure, the services provided, and level of on-site management will provided, and level of on-site management will provide for a range of snorkeling opportunities to provide for a range of snorkeling opportunities to suit the different experiences sought by visitors, suit the different experiences sought by visitors, and will help to protect the natural environment. and will help to protect the natural environment.

ROS 2

Restrictions on vessel and group size

Access restricted to snorkelers with demonstrated technical competence Low levels of use (0-22 snorkelers) High levels of on-site management Reefs with high biological value Exclusive of certain activities and

behaviours Few services provided

Access unrestricted Moderate to high levels of use (>

22 snorkelers) Low levels of on-site management Reefs with low biological value Few restrictions on aactivities

Emphasis on high quality services (e.g., interpretation, instruction on

equipment use, hospitality)

FOREIGN VISITORS

THAI VISITORS

ROS 1

RecommendationsRecommendations• Results suggest the need for at least Results suggest the need for at least two two

recreation opportunitiesrecreation opportunities to appeal to Thai and to appeal to Thai and Non-Thai visitors.Non-Thai visitors.

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

• Funding: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Funding: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada, Padi Project Aware, Council (SSHRC) of Canada, Padi Project Aware, Centre for Asia Pacific Initiatives (UVic), CIDA.Centre for Asia Pacific Initiatives (UVic), CIDA.

• The Royal Thai Government for permission to The Royal Thai Government for permission to undertake the studies. undertake the studies. Data collection was greatly Data collection was greatly facilitated by the Sustainable Tourism Development facilitated by the Sustainable Tourism Development Office on the island of Koh Chang.Office on the island of Koh Chang.

• Ajarn Surachet and Ajarn Dachanee, Faculty of Ajarn Surachet and Ajarn Dachanee, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, for logistical support, Forestry, Kasetsart University, for logistical support, research design input,research design input,

Government liaison and research assistants.Government liaison and research assistants.• People of Koh Chang for their co-operation. People of Koh Chang for their co-operation.