4.0 sustainable management

Question 1

What are the different schemes to promote sustainable enviromental management of the broads?

Answer 1

• The Broads Plan
• Clear Water 2000
• Integrated sediment management - PRISMA project.
• The Broads Barn Owl Project
• The Green Tourism Business Scheme

Question 2

Describe the Broads plan.

Answer 2

The Broads Plan – aims for the conservation of the Broads. Includes planning for the long term future, working in partnership and encouraging its sustainable use.

Question 3

Describe clear water 2000.

Answer 3

Clear Water 2000 (in response to fertilisers/ sewage causing eutrophication) cornered-off area at Barton broad– trillions of daphnia released and proliferate to consume microscopic algae (biomanipulation) and fish removed (electro-fishing and geotextile plastic barriers). New equipment at sewage treatment works upstream to remove nutrients. 4 years of constant dredging to remove 300,000 tonnes of nutrient-rich soil (£700,000 scheme), lagoons built to dry and remove mud which is now used for farming. = return of water plants.

Question 4

Describe integrated sediment management.

Answer 4

Integrated sediment management - bitumen matting to allow reeds to grow (establish vegetation) – roots bind sediment – PRISMA project at Salhouse to recreate the reed bed. Fences built to secure from plant-eating geese.

Question 5

What is the Broads Barn Owl project?

Answer 5

The Broads Barn Owl Project – conserve population by producing 50 barn owl and kestrel nest boxes by the Broads Authority & by providing advice to landowners on how to manage grassland (to support voles and mice)

Question 6

What is the Green Tourism Business Scheme?

Answer 6

The Green Tourism Business Scheme: Greening the Broads (UK’s leading sustainable tourism certification scheme endorsed by VisitBritain) – giving bronze silver and gold awards based on business’ sustainability. Promotes action plans of developing green policy(e.g. using local produce (Fairhaven Water Garden), eco-friendly cleaners (no phosphates/nitrates, biodegradable), environmentally friendly staff training, marketing, water monitoring, recycling, public transport routes (Broadland Cycle Hire).

Question 7

Where has funding come from for the sustainable management of the broads?

Answer 7

Funding from DEFRA (EU 2003) and from tolls from licensed boats

Question 8

What authorities help to maintain the broads?

Answer 8

• European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas, Beacon Council status for ‘Promoting Sustainable Tourism’
• Broads Authority (Special Statutory Authority – Norfolk Broads Act 1988): conserve, enhance, promote opportunities, maintain navigation

Question 9

What strategies help to manage the broads sustainibly?

Answer 9

• Sustainable boating – electric power, biofuel and operating ‘RA’ (Britain’s first solar powered passenger boat). Speed limits (4-6 mph) and signs ‘narrow river, proceed slowly’ to reduce boat wash. Electricity posts to power electric engines. River inspector to maintain the Broads: enforce speed limit and licenses – fine for no license
• Canoe and bike hire networks (promoting green transport)
• Soft management - 25 ponies are at Barton (can be sponsored) to prevent succession as they consume vegetation
• Reward for catching coypus (invasive species) – outcompete water voles and otters
• Fen raft spider (listed as vulnerable) being reintroduced (breeding programme reared and released 1000 babies on the RSPB’s Mid Yare reserve)
• Encouragement to check, clean and dry clothing and fishing equipment to reduce invasive killer shrimp (target specific groups – canoers, fishers etc)

Question 10

What management schemes have been created to protect the GBR?

Answer 10

• The maximum allowable fine for shipping companies that damage the reef was raised (in response to Shen Neng 1 incident)
• Land-use zoning
• 1981- World Heritage Site/ 1975- Marine Park
• The Coral Reef Finfish Fishery Programme limit the number of commercial vessels in operation & the size of the catch (Queensland Grouper is banned)
• Overcrowding is restricted in Blue Pearl Bay by restricting boat length to 35m & visitor group size to 40
• 8 public moorings installed & reef protection markers to show where anchoring is prohibited
• Prospective developments are subject to environmental assessments before permission is granted
• Regulated sewage and effluent discharge (recycling of effluents increased)

Question 11

Describe zoning in the GBR.

Answer 11

Land-use zoning - separates conflicting uses into 7 zones [conservation, general use, habitat preservation etc) (33 per cent of the Marine Park awarded marine NP status - fishing and collecting is not permitted). Park authority patrols the areas to enforce zonation – monetary penalties are imposed to people who break regulations

Question 12

How have humans reduced the pollution in the GBR?

Answer 12

• Australian Marine Debris Initiative – 42 tonnes of marine debris collected between 2008 and 2014. Great Barrier Reef Clean Up event = 12 tonnes collected in 2015

Question 13

How have funds been raised to support sustainable environmental management of the broads.

Answer 13

• Environmental management charge for tourists à AU$ 7 million generated for education and research (but charge is levied for visitors participating in tourist activities)