This section outlines a variety of tools and techniques which may be used for managing recreational activities in European marine sites. It also highlights a number of case study examples of successful management schemes from the UK and abroad. It should be stressed from the outset that the examples focus exclusively on those used for conservation purposes. Management for amenity and safety purposes lies outside the scope of this report.

It is important to note that the fundamentals of the strategies outlined in this section are transferable across many sites. However, the key to determining whether such strategies are successful at the local level lies in effective consultation and liaison between relevant authorities, site managers and the recreational participants in the area. In particular, early consultation on the need for particular management techniques, and the methods by which it may be achieved, improve the chances of successful implementation.

It is also vital to bear in mind that many human activities occur within the coastal zone. Each of these activities has different implications for the environment. When attempts are made to identify the impact of recreation, it is essential that environmental changes caused both by natural occurrences and also by human activities other than recreation be considered. The benefits of recreation for nature conservation should also be taken into account as outlined in chapter 3.

The first part of this section looks at mSAC designation in the context of the existing planning system and nature conservation designations. The following sections outline management tools and techniques for addressing recreational impacts, ranging from voluntary to regulatory approaches.

Overview of European marine sites

Management tools

Summary SWOT analysis of management tools

Recreation management techniques in rural areas

Schemes of voluntary management

Voluntary/regulatory approaches

Regulatory approaches

Summary SWOT analysis of management techniques

Summary