Planning Scotland's Seas: 2013 - The Scottish Marine Protected Area Project – Developing the Evidence Base tor Impact Assessments and the Sustainability Appraisal Final Report

C.17. Water Sports

C.17.1 Introduction

This appendix provides an overview of existing and potential future activity for the water sports sector in Scottish waters and outlines the methods used to assess the impacts of proposed MPAs on this sector.

C.17.2 Sector Definition

Water sports are recreational activities undertaken on or immersed in a body of water. The main marine water sports undertaken in Scotland are recreational angling, surfing, windsurfing, sea kayaking, small sail boat activities (such as dinghy sailing) and scuba diving (BMF et al., 2009). Recreational boating activity in larger vessels such as yachts is covered separately in Appendix C13.

C.17.3 Overview of Existing Activity

A list of sources to inform the writing of this baseline is provided in Table C17.1.

Table C17.1 Information Sources

Scale	Information Available	Date	Source
Scotland	Number of sea anglers	2006-2007	Radford et al (2009)
Scotland	Economic impact of sea angling (by region)	No date	Radford et al (2009)
Scotland	Angler days by resident, by origin, by type (short, boat, charter)	No date
Scotland	Expenditure	No date
Scotland	Trends (days fished, competitiveness of region)	No date
Scotland	Output of DREAM® model gives multipliers (associated with angling)	No date
Scotland	Estimated regional sea angling activity and expenditure (also for Scotland)	No date	Baxter et al (2011)
Scotland	Origin and destination of overnight fishing trips to Scotland	2006-2007	Radford et al (2009)
Highlands and Islands	Statistics on water sports	No date	George Street Research & Jones Economics (2004)
UK/Scotland	Snorkelling and Diving Locations (not spatial		www.snorkeling.co.uk and www.ukdiving.co.uk
UK/Scotland	Kitesurfing and Windsurfing locations (user-updated)		http://thewindmap.com
UK	Indicative location of coastal watersports centres	2010	Defra/CP2
Scotland	Surfing and diving locations	2011	Scotland's Marine Atlas Ch5
UK	Surfing locations		SAS (2009) and the 'Stormrider Guides' ( www.lowpressure.co.uk)
UK	Indicative location of coastal diving areas (Recreational and otherwise)		CP2 / Magic Seaweed
UK	Statistics on water sports participation levels	2010	BMF (2011a)
UK	Location of scuba diving sites		Dive Site Directory www.divesitedirectory.co.uk/
UK	Location of windsurf sites		Windsurf Magazine www.windsurf.co.uk/beach-guide

C.17.3.1 Location and intensity of activity

Indicative estimates of the number of people participating in water sports activities in Scotland have been taken from the BMF Water sports and Leisure Participation Survey 2009 (BMF et al., 2009). This report estimated that 52,869 adults (> 16 years) participated in surfing, 23,952 adults participated in windsurfing, 12,443 in scuba diving, 37,416 participated in canoeing ^[61] and 23,937 in small sail boat activities in the Border and Scotland ITV regions ^[62] . Radford et al (2009) estimated that 125,188 adults and 23,445 children went sea angling in Scotland in 2008.

Separately, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS, 2010) conducted an initial study into the number of recreational water users in Scotland in 2010 and estimated that there were approximately 300,000 recreational water users (this number included surfers, windsurfers, and kayakers amongst a range of other activities) using the coastal waters of Scotland. A summary of the distribution of different water sports, highlighting key areas activities in Scotland is described below.

A survey looking into marine and coastal recreation in Scotland commissioned by SNH found that overall, around 87% of all recorded visits to the coast were day trips. Above average proportions of short-breaks or weekend visits were made by sea and shoreline anglers, and divers and snorkelers (Land Use Consultants, 2007).

Recreational Angling

Sea angling is carried out along most of the Scottish coastline mostly within 6nm (The Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network's (S SACN) Offshore Wind SEA consultation response, available on the Scottish Government website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/11/03131226/0 ^[63] ). The highest densities of anglers are found in the more heavily populated areas of coast around Glasgow, Clyde, Edinburgh and Fife (Baxter et al. 2011). Sea angling launch points are also heavily concentrated along the Argyll Coast and Islands, Solway Firth, Firth of Clyde, Firth of Tay, North Coast, and East Grampian Coast (Land Use Consultants, 2007).

Surfing and Windsurfing

A variety of different types of water craft are used to surf waves including surfboards, body boards, windsurfing boards and kayaks (SAS, 2009). Many surfers are willing to travel large distances to undertake surfing at good quality spots (Lazorow, 2009). Therefore, high quality waves located in remote areas could bring economic benefits to a rural area through travel, accommodation and subsidence expenditure of visiting surfers. Surfing is focused around the far North coast of Scotland (particularly around Thurso), the North coast from Buckie to Fraserburgh and locations down the East coast including Fife, and from North Berwick to the border. Other locations include the Kintyre peninsula, Islay, Tiree, the Western Isles (particularly the West coast of Lewis) and the North coast of Orkney (Baxter et al., 2011; Land Use Consultants, 2007), see Figure C21.

Sea Kayaking

The majority of sea kayaking is undertaken close inshore, exploring interesting aspects of the coast such as sea caves, inlets and wildlife. Safety issues and a lack of interesting features in general prevent kayaking further offshore. However, open crossings (between two points such as a headland and an offshore island), often through strong tidal currents are regularly undertaken by more experienced sea kayakers. Unlike other water sports activities which are often undertaken in relatively discrete areas (such as a surf spot or diving site), sea kayaking has the potential to be undertaken along much of the Scottish coast and is only constrained by the availability of suitable launching spots such as beaches or slipways. Popular kayaking areas include the Inner Hebrides, East Grampian Coast, Firth of Clyde and Firth of Forth (Land Use Consultants, 2007), see Figure C21. The Scottish Canoeing Association undertook an online survey of sea kayakers in 2011. The survey had a total of 392 respondents. The survey found that the most popular areas for sea kayaking in Scotland was Arisaig, Knoydart, Sound of Sleat, Argyll Islands, Oban to Fort William and the Clyde.

Scuba Diving

The most popular locations for scuba diving around Scotland are Scapa Flow, Orkney (considered to be one of the best wreck diving areas in the world) and the Voluntary Marine Reserve of St Abbs and Eyemouth off the Berwickshire coastline. Historic Scotland has estimated that around 1,220 records of known shipwrecks and documented losses are located within the proposed MPA boundaries (Historic Scotland, 2013, pers. comm.).The islands of the Inner Hebrides, the Firth of Forth and coast to the Scottish border, all of the East coast from North of Dundee to the Dornoch Firth are also popular diving destinations (Land Use Consultants, 2007; Baxter et al, 2011; Scottish Executive, 2007; UKMMAS, 2010), see Figure C21.

Small Sail Boat Activity

Small sail boat activity is defined as dinghies, day boat or other small keelboats, usually taken out of water at the end of use. Small sail boat activity is widespread along the Scottish coast but the Firth of Clyde and Firth of Forth are noted as a particularly good place to learn to sail in dinghies (Land Use Consultants, 2007), see Figure C21.

C.17.3.2 Economic value and employment

Radford et al (2009) estimated a total expenditure of £141 million on sea angling in 2008. Sea angling in Scotland also supported 3148 FTE jobs in 2008, representing an income of £69.67million ^[64] (Radford et al., 2009).

There is limited data concerning the expenditure and employment levels of surfing-related tourism (SAS, 2009). At a UK level the economic value of the surf industry was estimated at £200 million in 2007 (UKMMAS 2010). The total number of people participating in surfing in the UK in 2009 was estimated to be 645,827 (BMF et al., 2009). If it is assumed that the Scottish value is pro rata to the estimated number of individuals engaging in surfing activity in Scotland, this would give a Scottish value of around £16.4m p.a.

'Informed opinion suggests that sea kayaking, particularly on the West coast, and surf kayaking could be worth an estimated £0.5 million per annum'. This statement was based on a study carried out by British Waterways and reported in Bryden et al. (2010), in which average paddlers in the Great Glen (2,500 per annum) spent approx. £97 per day locally on overnight visits, or approximately £730K per annum.

A survey commissioned by SNH reviewing marine and coastal recreation in Scotland identified the amount typically spent per year on equipment for water sports activities (Table C17.2). The highest average amounts spent were for sea angling (£1375) and shoreline angling (£860). Kayaking and canoeing, sub-aqua and snorkelling, and windsurfing each had an average spend of between £635 and £645, whilst surfing had a lower average spend of £290 per year. In total, sea angling and shoreline angling accounted for around half of the total spending recorded by the survey. However due to the small sample sizes these results are subject to high levels of standard error and it should be noted that these figures are generally overestimates (Land Use Consultants, 2007).

Table C17.2 Total and average annual spending, by water sport activity

Activity	Total Spending (£)	Average Spending (£)
Sea angling	131960	1375
Shoreline angling	70575	861
Kayaking	36100	645
Sub aqua/ snorkelling	33935	640
Windsurfing	6345	635
Surfing	5800	290

(Source: Land Use Consultants, 2007)

No national employment figures derived from the Business Register and Employment Survey (using UK SIC codes) have been included for activities relating to water sports. This is because the codes are for the entire sports sector and do not permit disaggregation to a useful level. However in general the largest numbers of employees for these activities are concentrated in the East and West Regions, which reflect the higher population concentrations in these regions.

C.17.3.3 Future trends

The leisure and recreation sector has experienced large growth in a number of diverse areas over the past decade. The growth and stability of the water sports sector in Scotland is heavily dependent on the general health of the UK economy. A strong economy means that consumers have more disposable income and are more inclined to spend money on this sector than when the economy is weaker. The recent UK economic downturn may lead to a reduction in such activities but in the long-term the sector is expected to continue to grow.

There is little information on future levels of recreational angling activity. Levels of activity are likely to vary in response to trends in the overall economy, changes in fish stocks as a result of improved fisheries management and changes in fish distributions in response to climate change. The nature and direction of these changes remains unclear.

C.17.4 Assumptions on Future Activity

It is assumed that the locations of water sports activities do not change over the period of the assessment. Levels of participation in water sports activities reflect the economic cycle but are generally expected to increase in the long-term. However, for the purposes of this assessment, in the absence of reliable forecasts on future growth, it has been assumed that levels of participation remain constant over the period of the assessment.

C.17.5 Potential Interactions with MPA Features

Many water sports have no known significant impacts on MPA features. For those that do the impacts are low and generally concern the removal of species or physical damage through trampling or disturbance. The introduction and spread of invasive non-indigenous species may also be associated with water sports.

C.17.6 Assumptions on Management Measures for Scenarios

It is assumed that the impact of water sports activities on MPA features will be managed through voluntary measures or under Marine Conservation Orders where necessary. Two scenarios ('lower' and 'upper') have been developed to capture the possible costs of potential MPAs to the sector. These include a range of possible management measures, as detailed requirements will need to be based on site-specific factors.

The intermediate ('best') estimate for each site has been based on SNH/ JNCC current views on management options and judgements made by the study team. The assumptions do not pre-judge any future site-specific management decisions. After MPA designation, the management of activities in MPAs will be decided on a site-by-site basis and may differ from the assumptions in this assessment.

Management measures applied under the lower and upper scenarios are detailed below. Specific management measure assumptions for each scenario (including the intermediate scenario) are defined in the MPA Site Reports (Table 4, Appendix E).

Lower Scenario

• Mitigation measures may range from:
  ˉ No additional mitigation measures required beyond existing good practice; and
  ˉ Adherence to voluntary codes of practice.

Upper Scenario

• Mitigation measures may range from:
  ˉ No additional mitigation measures required beyond existing good practice;
  ˉ Adherence to voluntary codes of practice; and
  ˉ Marine Conservation Order restricting particular water sports activities within MPAs (temporally or spatially).

C.17.7 Assessment Methods

Mitigation Measures

Where required, it is assumed that the following additional costs may be incurred:

• Adherence to voluntary codes of practice - site specific determination; and
• Spatial or temporal restriction of activities - site specific determination.

C.17.8 Limitations

• Participation rates and location of future water sports activities are uncertain; and
• The requirements for management measures are uncertain.

C.17.9 References

Baxter, J.M., Boyd, I.L., Cox, M., Donald, A.E., Malcolm, S.J., Miles, H., Miller, B., Moffat, C.F., (Editors), 2011. Scotland's Marine Atlas: Information for the national marine plan. Marine Scotland, Edinburgh.

BMF, MCA, RYA and Lifeboats 2009. Water sports and Leisure Participation Survey 2009. Available online:
http://www.britishmarine.co.uk/upload_pub/WatersportsandLeisureOmnibus2009finalpublic.pdf

Bryden, D.M., Westbrook, S.R., Burns, B., Taylor, W.A., and Anderson, S. 2010. Assessing the economic impacts of nature based tourism in Scotland Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 398.

Land Use Consultants, 2007. A Review of Marine and Coastal Recreation in Scotland. Report No. F05AA608.

Lazarow, N. 2009. Using observed market expenditure to estimate the value of recreational surfing to the Gold Coast, Australia. Journal of Coastal Research, SI 56 (Proceedings of the 10th International Coastal Symposium), 1130-1134.

Radford, A., Riddington, G. and Gibson, H., 2009. Economic Impact of Recreational Sea Angling in Scotland. Prepared for the Scottish Government. July 2009. ISBN: 978-0-7559-8130-4

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), 2009. Guidance on environmental impact assessment of offshore renewable energy development on surfing resources and recreation.

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), 2010. The WAR Report: Waves Are Resources. Available online: http://www.sas.org.uk/news/2010/08/04/sas-release-the-war-report-waves-are-resources/

Scottish Executive, 2007. Scottish Marine Renewables SEA

Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network's (S SACN) website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/ Publications/2010/11/03131226/0)

United Kingdom Marine Monitoring and Assessment Strategy (UKMMAS), 2010. Charting Progress 2 Feeder Report Productive Seas. Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs on behalf of UKMMAS (Eds. Saunders, J. and McKie, J.) 472pp Available online: http://chartingprogress.Defra.gov.uk/