Human Uses of the West Coast Marine and Coastal Environment

4.5 Recreation and Tourism Activities

Recreational fishing has been discussed in detail above in section 4.3.2 of this chapter. This section focuses on other recreational uses of the West Coast coastal marine area, as well as commercial tourism operations. Although the MPA policy does not provide for the protection of non-extractive recreational activities or values, identifying these uses of the marine environment will provide the forum with some more background information.

Recreational uses are very diverse and widely spread, but some of the most common activities are:

Access to the coastal and marine environment often influences where people will go and what activities they engage in. At some of these coastal sites, efforts have been made (especially by the Department of Conservation, as well as councils and community groups) to provide improved visitor access, facilities, information and interpretation, through better planning and day-to-day management.

Boating, Canoeing and Kayaking
In the sea, recreational boats and tourist vessels operate at a variety of sites and for a variety of purposes, including fishing (see Section 4.3.2), access, sightseeing, and marine mammal watching. Vessels range from kayaks, dinghies and small runabouts used by private individuals to larger crewed vessels that are hired out for tourist charters. Tourist ships occasionally travel the West Coast and berth at the main harbours.

Boat ramps and other launching sites are very important to boating activity on the West Coast. The locations of these launching sites are closely related to the distribution of recreational boat traffic in the region, mostly because recreational vessels often have a limited travel range. Recreational and tourist vessels operate in both the enclosed waters of the estuarine domain (river mouths, lagoons and estuaries), and in the areas of open sea that are generally accessed by launching off the beach or crossing a river bar. While there is no published information about the levels of recreational boating in the region, some of the main boat launching sites are at Westport Harbour, Greymouth Harbour and Jackson Bay/Okahu.

Boat-based marine mammal watching operates through permits issued under the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations 1992 by the Department of Conservation. These tours typically focus on the viewing of Hector’s dolphins and fur seals, but also view other marine wildlife as opportunities arise. These operations are usually combined with other activities such as fishing charters and sightseeing.

Surfing and Swimming
Surfing, swimming and similar shoreline recreation is widely dispersed through the region, but tends to be most common near settlements and at sites where safe and superior sea conditions prevail. Some of the most popular swimming and surfing beaches are at Westport, Tauranga Bay, Punakaiki, Rapahoe, Greymouth, Hokitika, Bruce Bay and Neils Beach. National and regional surfing competitions are sometimes held at such places as Tauranga Bay.


Coastal recreation and tourism activities come in many forms. Photos: S. Nimmo

Estuarine Recreation
Within coastal estuaries and river mouths, recreational activities can include fishing and shellfish gathering, scenic and recreational boating, canoeing and kayaking (see above), gamebird shooting and birdwatching. Seasonal game bird shooting is popular on numerous coastal wetlands, targeting such wildfowl as ducks and black swans.

Other Shoreline and Land-based Activities
Shore-based recreation and tourism activities include wildlife viewing, scenic viewing, shore exploration and walking, vehicle use and community events. Recreation and tourism sites that provide access to the coastal environment, and have been developed for users, include:

Viewing of marine wildlife is a popular activity at some shore locations, and includes both recreational viewing and guided tours. Species that are the object of such activities include New Zealand fur seal, Hector’s dolphin, tawaki (Fiordland crested penguin), Westland petrel, blue penguin, waders and shore birds, kotuku and spoonbills. Wildlife viewing mostly occurs at specific localities where the animals congregate to breed, rest or feed.

Scenic viewing, shore exploration and walking occurs throughout the West Coast for a variety of reasons. These can include educational visits to rocky shores by school parties; tourists and local residents visiting the beach for relaxation or exercise, or just appreciating the coastline as part of the wider scenic vista; or fossicking for pounamu and other beach ‘treasures’. Commercial tourism operations include guided visits to popular coastal points of interest, such as Cape Foulwind, Charleston, Punakaiki, Ship Creek and Jackson Bay/Okahu.

Motorbikes, four-wheel drives and other vehicles are widely used in the coastal marine area. They enable ready access to some of the more remote sites, but are sometimes restricted by natural barriers such as rivers and headlands. While serving some recreational or commercial purposes, vehicles can also disturb other people, or natural ecosystem features such as sand dunes, mudflats and wildlife.

Several community-based recreation events are held in the coastal marine area. They include fishing and surfing competitions (see earlier sections of this report), and beach-based events such as Hokitika’s Driftwood & Sand Beach Sculpture event and the Sand Dunes Classic golf tournament. Many of these events occur annually, typically in the summer months.
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