Who has voted on the Shoreline Activities Draft

Bo Pardau

Brent Carman DAR

Brett Mele Nai'a dolphin song

Bruce Malasky

Bryce Groark, Living Ocean Productions

Caroliine Neary

Chad Wiggins TNC

Charles Fasano

Chris Perritt

Cindi Punihaole The Kohala Center

Dana Remy, Surfrider

David Duval Island Vistor

Dianna DeRosa

Donna Goodale

Elaine Jack's Diving Locker

Erin Heindrich

Frank Carpenter - Kona Boys

Fred Lindsey

Jamie Pardau Reef Teach, Reef check

Jayne LeFors, NOAA

Jean Bevanmarquez, Dolphin Journeys

John Wachsmuth Property owner

Julie Steelman

Karen Hand Adventures in paradise KAI

Kathy Malasky

Kona Honu Divers (Glenn)

Kosta Stamoulis University of Hawaii

Luana Nan Howell

Mara Hisiger

Marni Herkes

Nancy Emery

Patricia Sullivan Cetacean Society International

Patrick du Monceaux - independent instructor

Paul DiGangi Cetacean Society International

Phil Sharkey

Rebekah Kaufmann Kohala Divers

Rich Osada

Robin Baird, Cascadia Research Collective

Ron Gittins; Coral Reef snorkel and Dive

Scott Larson, Maylaigh Ministries

Shelley Steele

Stacia Goecke private citizen

Stephanie Donoho, County of Hawaii, Research and Development

Tania Howard - Maile Charters

Teri Leicher Jacks Diver Locker

Tourpedo Tours Mike and Nicky

Updated: August 16th, 2009 at 2:00pm

Document code: WD-1 (Working Draft)

  Draft number: WHVS3

 

Title: Voluntary Standard for

Shoreline Activities

 in West Hawaii Waters

 

Prepared by:

                                                         Members of the Kona’s Community

       with the assistance of the Coral Reef Alliance.

 

 

Keywords:

conservation; coral reefs; environment; marine recreation; preferred practices for good environmental behavior; tidepooling; swimming; shoreline activities;

 

 

 

Standard Requirements for

Recreational Shoreline Activities

Such as Tidepooling and Swimming

in Hawaiian Waters

 

Prepared by:

                                                         Members of the West Hawaii Community

       with the assistance of the Coral Reef Alliance. 

 

Abstract

This voluntary standard specifies standards for environmental performance, conservation practices, and operational safety that enhance shoreline marine recreational activities while minimizing environmental impact of such activities, such as tidepooling and swimming, on fragile marine ecosystems, fish and whales in the waters of West Hawaii particularly near coral reefs, related coastal environments and impacts on marine species such as cetaceans, turtles, monk seals and other animals.

 

This standard was developed by community members within West Hawaii that represented key interest groups with the assistance of the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) and the West Hawaii Standards Taskforce (WHST). WHST and CORAL disclaim all liability for its use, application, or adaptation. This standard is subject to revision at any time and must be reviewed every five years and if not revised either reaffirmed or withdrawn.

 

1 Scope

This West Hawaii voluntary standard specifies standards for marine recreation providers of recreational shoreline activities such as tidepooling and swimming in vulnerable marine ecosystems and related coastal environments and impacts on marine species such as cetaceans, turtles, monk seals and other animals. The standard addresses four critical areas:

• Minimization of impact to the marine environment, particularly coral reefs, and related coastal environments, and the organisms that live completely or partially within these environments;

• Environmental education of staff and clients on best practices;

• Requirements for conducting sustainable shoreline activity and recreational excursions; and

• Safety and operational practices not already specified in existing regulations. The standard does not specify curricula or practices for certifications, qualifications of instructors, or related subjects.

 

2 Referenced documents

West Hawaii Voluntary Standard WHVS4 - Standard requirements for recreational SCUBA diving and snorkeling operations in Hawaiian waters¹

West Hawaii Voluntary Standard WHVS1 - Voluntary Standard requirements for wildlife interactions in Hawaiian waters²

West Hawaii Voluntary Standard WHVS2 - Voluntary Standard requirements for general boating in Hawaiian waters³

^{1 ,2,3} Available online at http//www.coral.organization/____, or from CORAL, 351 California St, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA, 94104, USA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Terms and definitions

 

3.1 Coral reef conservation

 

The act of preserving and protecting coral reefs, related near-shore ecosystems and coastal environments from degradation.

 

3.2 Coral reef ecology

 

The study of organisms in their coral reef environment that includes the interactions within this environment.

 

3.3 Environmental briefing

 

Information on ways and reasons to minimize impact on coral reefs and related costal environments while SCUBA diving and snorkeling verbally presented by a divemaster, snorkel leader, captain or naturalist prior to engaging in the activity.

 

3.4 Harassment (Marine Mammal official NOAA definition)

 

Any act of pursuit, torment or annoyance that

 

(a)               injures or has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild; or

(b)               disturbs or has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of natural behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, surface breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding or sheltering.

 

3.5 Independent swimming

 

Swimming activities not organized by a marine recreational provider or led by an employee of the provider but where an individual has rented equipment by a provider.

 

3.6 Independent tidepooling and beaching

 

Tidepooling or beaching activities not organized by a marine recreational provider or led by an employee of the provider but where an individual has rented equipment by a provider.

 

3.7 Marine Protected Area (MPA)

 

An area of the marine environment that has been reserved by federal or state laws and/or regulations to provide protection and conservation of all the marine, terrestrial and cultural resources within its boundaries.

 

3.8 Marine recreation provider:

Entity (business, individual or organization), including any individual acting on behalf of such entity, which offers one or more of the following services to individuals as for hire.

(a) Training, education or information sharing on SCUBA, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing or other marine recreational activity.

(b) Guided operations of SCUBA diving, Snorkeling, Surfing, kayaking, marine wildlife viewing, sightseeing or the rental of powered or unpowered boats with or without crew or other recreational activity

(c) Rental of recreational snorkeling, SCUBA diving, kayaking, surfing or other marine recreational activity. 

(d) Environmental education prior to or during guided activities or prior to the rental of equipment to persons participating in marine recreational activities.

(e) Entities providing transportation specifically to an area for shoreline activities such as bus drivers and tour guide operations (not to include taxi cab drivers)

 

3.9 Marine Park

 

An area typically protected by state or federal regulation for recreational use, but more often set aside to preserve a specific habitat and ensure the ecosystem is sustained for the organisms that exist there. 

 

3.11 Tidepooling

 

Viewing organisms within the intertidal zone

 

 

4.1 Requirements

 

4.1.1 Marine recreation providers taking visitors to marine parks or marine protected areas where they will be conducting activities from the shoreline shall verbally brief the clients or passengers with information in Annex A as well as a minimum of one of the following methods:

 

(a) Handed a laminated flier reproducing the contents of Annex A in their language (collected after they depart);

 

 

(b) Annex A placed on the backs of seats in primary language of clients and attention brought to them during the ride;

 

(c) Utilize trained volunteer docents in areas where they are stationed, such as County and State Beach Parks or National Parks, who can provide additional information.

 

(d) Offer marine bag tags for a donation to Big Island Reef Fund.

 

4.1.2 Marine recreation providers shall verbally brief clients on how to enter the water and describe site hazards and boundaries. When at a marine protected area, inform clients of the ecological, economic and cultural value the MPA provides.

 

4.1.3 Marine recreation providers and their assistants shall be educated in coral reef ecology and conservation, including information on threatened, endangered and rare species that are unique to the local environment. Staff shall stay current with latest environmental trends and information, through formal or continuing education or review courses, self study and seminars such as those supported through the CORAL Reef Leadership Network, SeaGrant West Hawaii, The Kohala Center or other local entities free of charge.

 

4.2 Specialized requirements

 

In addition to the general requirements specified in Section 4.1, the following specialized standards are also applicable to shoreline activities and shall be implemented as specified in each standard:

 

4.2.1 All recreational shoreline operations involving scuba diving and snorkeling shall fully comply with West Hawaii’s Voluntary Standard for scuba diving and snorkeling (WHVS4)

 

4.2.2 All recreational shoreline operations involving wildlife interactions or viewing shall fully comply with West Hawaii’s Voluntary Standard for wildlife interactions (WHVS1)

 

4.2.3 All recreational shoreline operations involving general boating from shore shall fully comply with West Hawaii Voluntary Standard for General Boating (WHVS2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annex A

 

Referenced Document: Best Practices handouts

 

Swimming

 

Save the coral! When you touch, walk, stand on, or break it you kill LIVE coral animals. If needed, use a flotation device to ensure you do not touch, walk or stand on the coral.

 

Never feed any marine creatures including fish.

 

Try not to kick up sand or sediment.

 

Enjoy what you see on the reef and leave it for others to see.

 

Take nothing but pictures and memories.

 

Use a rashguard shirt for sun protection, or environmentally friendly sunscreens such as those using titanium or zinc oxide as the active ingredients.

 

When using sunscreens, always apply sunscreens a minimum 15 minutes before entering the water.

 

Remember that while foot-wear and gloves protect you, they do not protect coral and other animals you may come into contact with.

 

Be mindful of this and use extra caution when wearing foot-wear or gloves.

 

When observing marine turtles and mammals, be careful not to encircle or entrap, touch, feed, chase, harm or disrupt their behavior in any way.

 

Sea turtles are protected!  Observe turtles from a respectful distance (recommended 20ft – one car length) but greater if the turtle shows any signs of distress.

 

In the water never swim under, over or in front of a turtle, observe them from the side, remember they are air breathers. Never surround a turtle.

 

Monk seals are endangered marine protected animals and close to extinction! When viewing a monk seal on the beach, observe from a respectable distance (the recommended distance is 150 feet away) and limit your observation time to one-half hour.  Never attempt to swim with, touch or feed a Hawaiian monk seal. They are wild animals and have been known to be aggressive and bite humans.  If a monk seal approaches you while you are in the water, exit the water as soon as safely possible.

 

 

Visiting coastal environments:

 

Keep the shoreline clean and litter-free.

 

Bring beverages in non-breakable containers like plastic bottles instead of glass containers.

 

Dispose of trash in designated containers - recycling items as possible.

 

Be particularly careful of lightweight items such as plastic bags, bottles and cups that readily blow in the water as turtles mistake them for their regular diet of jellyfish.

 

Clean up trash in and around the water when ever you can and dispose of it properly.

 

Never drive on the beach or on fragile tidepool areas.

 

Dogs must be on leashes.  All dog waste must be picked up and disposed of into designated trash containers

 

 

Exploring tidepools

 

Tidepools are very special and fragile environments. Observe them from the edges avoiding walking through tidepools.  

 

Some animals in tidepools can sting, stab, bite or hurt you in many ways.

 

 

Refrain from removing animals from a tidepool – you or the animal maybe harmed, by law the collection of marine animals can be done only by those with a permit

 

For your safety as well as the reef animals, please be mindful of ocean and weather conditions when you are enjoying Hawaii’s marine environment.

 

For more information on guidelines and regulations contact the Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources Kona office at 808-327-6226