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| CSIRO | SOLVE | Issue 11 | MAY 07 | |
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ARTICLE
WEALTH FROM OCEANS:
A Model Reef By Robin Taylor
Australian Scientists aim to create a template for sustainable tourism development that can be used around the world.The biological diversity of Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef poses an unenviable challenge for researchers working to develop a sustainable tourism model. Although the reef’s biological diversity means it is hard to measure and set a biodiversity baseline, it could also lead to exciting discoveries. Murdoch University’s Professor Neil Loneragan, who heads the $12 million Flagship cluster program to measure the reef’s biology and ascertain its tourism potential, says the challenge is a wonderful problem to have. “The exploration and excitement of discovery is very real.” Professor Loneragan’s enthusiasm is reflected by other members of the cluster, which brings together eight research organisations to focus on the reef’s biodiversity, habitats, Scientists from four Western Australian universities – Murdoch, Curtin and Edith Cowan universities and the University of Western Australia – will work with the University of Queensland and the Australian National University, as well as the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Sustainable Tourism and the Wealth from Oceans Flagship. The university partners will receive $2.3 million directly from the CSIRO Flagship Collaboration Fund. This fund enables the skills of the wider Australian research community to be applied to the major research challenges targeted by CSIRO’s National Research Flagship initiative.
Dr Terry De Lacy, chief executive of the CRC for Sustainable Tourism, says the opportunity provides CRC researchers with a case study to build a tourism model. “A key problem is how to develop tourism in fragile environments of high conservation value, like Ningaloo, so they make money for the people who put in the development, have minimal impact on the environment, and return the best possible social benefits to the local community while minimising the social impact,” Dr De Lacy says. “We have been investigating how to model a tourism system and all its components, such as the number of visitors, how much they spend, the level of infrastructure required and the impact of increasing visitor numbers. “The next step is modelling the environmental loads for a possible infrastructure development, such as the impact of people walking on reefs or taking boats onto them, and also the environmental inputs, such as how much water and energy are used. The last step is studying the impact of the environmental loads on the ecosystem, which is where we have always been confounded, and this is a very expensive exercise. “We will develop a tourism information model and an environmental-flows model for Ningaloo that links into the other studies of this fragile ecosystem, and then together we will use the whole approach in other places in Australia and internationally.” Professor Wood, who is also chairman of the Ningaloo Sustainable Development Committee and a project leader in the Wealth from Oceans Flagship Ningaloo Cluster, says there are many planning dilemmas in the area, and the research being undertaken in this project will help inform future decision-making to provide a more sustainable future for the Ningaloo coast. “In the face of growing tourism numbers and demand for tourism beds, the background research will help with decision-making,” Professor Wood says. “The project we are working on is directed towards land-use planning and resource allocation in the region. It will allow us to prepare scenario plans based on economic, social and environmental transactions.” Another member of the cluster is Dr Keith Sainsbury, leader for the research theme in the Wealth from Oceans Flagship that will collaborate with the university and CRC researchers. He says his group’s role will be to provide scientific support for sustainable regional development and multiple-use management. “The whole thrust of our research is recognising that in our use of the oceans, particularly coastal use, it is not a matter of looking at different uses, such as tourism or fisheries, in isolation,” he says. “The way we manage and balance these different uses is the key to sustainable development, so we can maintain the values that make our coastal areas attractive in the first place, but still have viable human activities. “Ningaloo is a wonderful example of this situation, where we have rapidly developing tourism and coastal infrastructure, with oil and gas operations nearby, as well as coastal conservation and ownership issues. “It is a unique area, with its amazing location, a shallow-water coral reef next to deep waters and an area where iconic species such as whale sharks, manta rays, dugongs, turtles and whales are found – it’s no wonder it is so popular.” The chairman of the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI), Dr Bernard Bowen, says he is delighted that CSIRO has seen the Ningaloo Reef as important enough to provide resources and focus for the cluster research. “It is very encouraging that the Flagship has decided to invest in reef research through the Collaboration Fund,” Dr Bowen says. “Ningaloo is an icon in Western Australia: it is a spectacular marine park, smaller than the Great Barrier Reef, but as important from Western Australia’s point of view. It is attracting more national and international interest, which is a mark of its importance. The number of visitors increases each year.”
This accessibility is one of the issues confronting planners and marine-resource managers. At its closest point, the reef at Ningaloo is only metres away from shore and can be reached without a boat. As Professor Loneragan says, it is in danger of being “loved to death”. “With the expansion of the Ningaloo Marine Park in 2004 there was a recognition that there was a great need for information to assist marine planning in the area,” he says. “Unless people’s access is planned and managed we run serious risk of doing a lot of damage to the environment, which is pristine in some areas. “Unlike many other areas, Ningaloo hasn’t had severe fishing pressures, so many large fish inhabit the area, plus the small fish associated with coral.” In fact there are some 500 species of fish on Ningaloo Reef. It is one of only two places in the world the giant whale shark regularly visits. Turtles are common and the area is becoming increasingly important for the study of humpback whales. Thirty per cent of the reef is classified as a sanctuary or no-take zone and while there is recreational fishing in other areas, no commercial fishing is allowed. A major focus of the cluster research is how people are using the reef. Two people will be based at Exmouth for 12 months to survey what people are doing on the reef, such as snorkelling, fishing and diving activities, to provide information for future planning. A survey to document the habitats and biodiversity of the Ningaloo lagoon has also begun. This has used remote sensing (through hyperspectral imaging) to collect precise information on habitats for the extent of the whole marine park to a depth of just over 10 metres – the largest marine mapping study attempted. The collection of hyperspectral data was supported by a joint program involving BHP Billiton, HyVista Corporation and the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Researchers in the Ningaloo Cluster will classify the data to provide high-resolution information on the bathymetry and habitats of the system. “At the end we aim to have a much improved knowledge base of the bathymetry, habitats and biodiversity in and outside marine protected areas, a good basis of knowledge on reef use and tourism, and good planning tools to evaluate different scenarios for tourism development and management of marine protected areas,” Professor Loneragan says. Importantly, the approach and models that are being adapted and developed for Ningaloo should be applicable in other areas, he says. “The involvement of the Sustainable Tourism CRC will provide destination and environmental load models to evaluate potential tourism developments in terms of their impact on natural resources and the environment,” he says. “The CSIRO involvement will provide a framework and models for evaluating multiple uses and management actions. There is a great need for both of these systems all around Australia.” He says the main challenge for the reef is managing tourism without adversely affecting some of the key ecological values and populations of species that draw people to the reef, such as the whale sharks and whales. “There is a lot of interest in oil and gas exploration in areas adjacent to Ningaloo, so getting a balance between those activities and ensuring the reef and its values are sustainable is another challenge. “We want to make sure that we can support the tourism taking place at Ningaloo, but also protect the marine ecosystem, which is what is attracting people in the first place.” Dr Sainsbury believes the challenge for the researchers is linking scientific information about the complex marine ecosystem and the human impacts on it with the socioeconomic data related to people’s activities in the area in a way that makes it accessible. “It is essential to get a knowledge base on which to found sound management decisions for the long-term management and sustainability of the whole area. We are trying to provide scientific assessment and knowledge to various regulators and developers in the Ningaloo region so they can make informed and balanced decisions about how they go forward, so we don’t end up with individual groups making decisions in isolation.” “We can use scientific modelling to predict the consequences of some of these development and management options, the type of problems that might emerge and to help avoid these problems in the first place.” Oceans Flagship director Craig Roy says the cluster is an excellent example of a focused scientific partnership delivering benefits to Australia. “The integrated research approach taken brings together the world’s best in their respective fields. With an emphasis on socioeconomic issues, the outcomes of the cluster will provide a framework for the conservation and appropriate development for this unique marine ecosystem and a lasting legacy for the Ningaloo region.” For further information contact: |
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