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Summary of environmental impacts
Most impacts from beach recreation in mSAC
areas result from parking in non-designated areas and access
to beach areas through estuarine sand dunes.
Litter from beach recreation can be a localised
problem.
The demand for clean beaches and bathing water
from beach recreationalists has had a positive effect on environmental
quality in many locations - labelling schemes such as the Good
Beach Guide and the Blue Flag scheme can contribute to increased
awareness of the issues.
Beach recreation can have an observable impact
on vegetation and wildlife, if undertaken in sensitive areas,
and/or if it involves irresponsible species collection, including
rock pooling.
The increasing use of portable barbecues particularly
in the vicinity of estuarine sand dunes, is increasing the risk
of fire in these areas and also litter.
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Issue
|
mSAC Features
|
|
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Sand dunes
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Saltmarsh
|
Mud and sand flats not covered by sea water at low tide
|
Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water at
all times
|
Large shallow inlets and bays
|
Reefs
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Lagoons
|
Submerged or partly submerged sea caves
|
Grey seal
|
Common seal
|
Bottlenose dolphin
|
|
Trampling
|
l
|
|
m
|
|
m
|
m
1
|
m
|
|
|
|
|
|
Erosion
|
l
|
|
m
|
|
m
|
m
|
m
|
|
|
|
|
|
Physical Infrastructure
|
l
2
|
|
m
|
|
m
|
m
|
m
|
|
|
|
|
|
Litter/waste
|
w
|
|
w
|
|
w
|
w
|
w
|
|
w
*
|
w
*
|
m
|
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Plant and wildlife disturbance
|
l
|
|
m
|
|
m
|
w
*
|
m
|
|
w
|
w
|
m
|
|
Fire risk
|
l
|
|
m
|
|
m
|
m
|
m
|
|
|
|
|
Key to impacts
Blank Square - not applicable
m - minimal
w - observable,
likely to be location specific
w * - observable
at certain times, minimal at other times
l - appreciable
Notes
-
rocky shores
-
unmanaged parking
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