Estimating changes in values for recreation in the Capricorn Coast region of the Great Barrier Reef

The main aim of this research was to estimate values for recreation in the Great Barrier Reef, and to identify how these values changed with changes in site quality. This was achieved in two stages in a case study analysis of recreation in the Capricorn Coast region. First, travel cost and contingent valuation methods were used to estimate the value of two recreational activities, fishing and beach use. Second, changes in recreation values due to changes in water quality and other relevant issues were estimated using contingent behaviour models. The approach undertaken in the study involved the parallel applications of the travel cost, contingent valuation and contingent behaviour models to two distinct recreational activities – recreational fishing and recreational beach use. Results indicate that there are high values associated with both the recreational fishing and recreational beach use activities along the Capricorn Coast, and that the demand for recreational fishing and recreational beach use were inelastic. Results also indicated that values for recreational fishing were insensitive to changes in catch rates while the values recreational beach use for all three user groups were insensitive to changes in water quality. The major contribution of this study is that it provides a comprehensive economic analysis of recreational activities in the GBRMP. The study is unique because it is one of the first to estimate recreational use values for recreational fishing the GBRMP and the first identified to value recreational beach use in the GBRMP. It is also one of the first studies in Australia to apply the contingent behaviour method to recreation and to estimate marginal values for potential changes in water quality and population pressures. The study also examines several important methodological issues such as testing the use of subjective and researcher estimated costs with the TCM; testing for convergent validity between the TCM and the CVM, testing for symmetry in responses to improvements and declines in resources; and if responses vary across and within stakeholder groups. Policy contributions include the generation of recreation values in the GBRMP, the estimation of marginal values associated with different future scenarios, and the estimation of values associated with beach use

Estimating changes in values for recreation in the Capricorn Coast region of the Great Barrier Reef

The main aim of this research was to estimate values for recreation in the Great Barrier Reef, and to identify how these values changed with changes in site quality. This was achieved in two stages in a case study analysis of recreation in the Capricorn Coast region. First, travel cost and contingent valuation methods were used to estimate the value of two recreational activities, fishing and beach use. Second, changes in recreation values due to changes in water quality and other relevant issues were estimated using contingent behaviour models. The approach undertaken in the study involved the parallel applications of the travel cost, contingent valuation and contingent behaviour models to two distinct recreational activities – recreational fishing and recreational beach use. Results indicate that there are high values associated with both the recreational fishing and recreational beach use activities along the Capricorn Coast, and that the demand for recreational fishing and recreational beach use were inelastic. Results also indicated that values for recreational fishing were insensitive to changes in catch rates while the values recreational beach use for all three user groups were insensitive to changes in water quality. The major contribution of this study is that it provides a comprehensive economic analysis of recreational activities in the GBRMP. The study is unique because it is one of the first to estimate recreational use values for recreational fishing the GBRMP and the first identified to value recreational beach use in the GBRMP. It is also one of the first studies in Australia to apply the contingent behaviour method to recreation and to estimate marginal values for potential changes in water quality and population pressures. The study also examines several important methodological issues such as testing the use of subjective and researcher estimated costs with the TCM; testing for convergent validity between the TCM and the CVM, testing for symmetry in responses to improvements and declines in resources; and if responses vary across and within stakeholder groups. Policy contributions include the generation of recreation values in the GBRMP, the estimation of marginal values associated with different future scenarios, and the estimation of values associated with beach use

Survey of recreational fishing at Bjelke-Petersen Dam

Abstrac

Estimating Values for Recreational Fishing at Freshwater Dams in Queensland

In this paper, estimates of value for recreational fishing are reported for three major freshwater impoundments in Queensland, Australia, using both travel cost and contingent valuation methods. The research results that are reported have two key methodological distinctions from previous studies of values associated with recreational fishing. The first is that different forms of the travel cost model have been used to estimate separate consumer surpluses associated with two key sub-groups of recreational anglers: those who were repeat anglers at a dam, and those who were single visitors (tourists). The second is that a contingent valuation study has been used to estimate the marginal values associated with a potential improvement in fishing experience, which can be compared with average values for existing trips estimated with the travel cost method. The results of the travel cost analysis provide strong evidence that recreational values vary between different groups of anglers and across sites, indicating that the transfer of recreational fishing values between population groups and sites may be complex. As well, the contingent valuation estimates for additional marginal benefits of recreational angling were conservative in relation to the values obtained from the travel cost models. This suggests that there is diminishing marginal utility associated with catching additional fish

Estimating values for recreational fishing at freshwater dams in Queensland

In this paper, estimates of value for recreational fishing are reported for three major freshwater impoundments in Queensland, Australia, using both travel cost and contingent valuation methods. Policy analysts often require estimates of value when analysing the importance of recreation against other uses of impoundments, or when considering the potential for further investments, such as with fish stocking programs. Different forms of the travel cost method are used to estimate separate consumer surpluses associated with two key subgroups of recreational anglers: frequent and occasional anglers. A contingent valuation study is used to estimate the marginal values associated with a potential improvement in fishing experience. The results of the travel cost analysis provide strong evidence that recreational values vary between different groups of anglers and across sites, while the contingent valuation estimates provide values for additional marginal benefits of recreational angling

Survey of recreational fishing at Boondooma Dam

Rolfe, JC ORCiD: 0000-0001-7659-7040This dataset represents the results of 250 surveys of angler groups who were shore fishing or returning to the boat ramp at Boondooma Dam.Data collected from each visitor group on a number of variables includes:• the number of people in the group,• hours spent fishing on that day,• place of residence (city and postcode),• approximate distance travelled one-way,• travel time in hours,• trip cost for the entire group (travel costs, fishing costs for this trip, annualboat expenses),• mode of travel,• number of days planning to fish this trip,• length of the total trip, and• number of fishing trips to the dam and other places in a year

The value of recreational fishing along the Capricorn Coast: a pooled revealed preference and contingent behaviour model

Given the focus on protecting natural assets in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP), it is important for managers and policy makers to understand the value of recreational activities such as fishing in the area, and how changes in management may affect those recreational values. This paper reports research estimating the value of recreational fishing along the Capricorn Coast in Central Queensland. Travel cost methods were used to estimate the value of recreational fishing using data from on-site surveys conducted at boat ramps along the Capricorn Coast. The study also uses contingent behaviour models to estimate the change in the value of recreational fishing as conditions vary. Results indicate that there are high values associated with recreational fishing activity along the Capricorn Coast, that the demand for recreational fishing is inelastic and that values are not sensitive to changes in catch rates

Estimating values for recreational fishing at freshwater dams in Queensland

In this paper, estimates of value for recreational fishing are reported for three major freshwater impoundments in Queensland, Australia, using both travel cost and contingent valuation methods. Policy analysts often require estimates of value when analysing the importance of recreation against other uses of impoundments, or when considering the potential for further investments, such as with fish stocking programs. Different forms of the travel cost method are used to estimate separate consumer surpluses associated with two key subgroups of recreational anglers: frequent and occasional anglers. A contingent valuation study is used to estimate the marginal values associated with a potential improvement in fishing experience. The results of the travel cost analysis provide strong evidence that recreational values vary between different groups of anglers and across sites, while the contingent valuation estimates provide values for additional marginal benefits of recreational angling

Survey of recreational fishing at Boondooma Dam

This dataset represents the results of 250 surveys of angler groups who were shore fishing or returning to the boat ramp at Boondooma Dam.Data collected from each visitor group on a number of variables includes:• the number of people in the group,• hours spent fishing on that day,• place of residence (city and postcode),• approximate distance travelled one-way,• travel time in hours,• trip cost for the entire group (travel costs, fishing costs for this trip, annualboat expenses),• mode of travel,• number of days planning to fish this trip,• length of the total trip, and• number of fishing trips to the dam and other places in a year