Improving navigability on the Kromme River Estuary: A choice experiment application

De Lee,M Du Preez,Sg Hosking

doi:10.4314/wsa.v40i3.15

Abstract

Navigation of estuaries is a vitally important aspect of boating recreation in South Africa and elsewhere. This paper uses a choice experiment to estimate recreation values of the Kromme River Estuary, a popular estuary along South Africa’s east coast. This valuation methodology allows for the identification of preferred management strategies through the trade-offs made by estuarine recreational users. It is found that the level of navigability is the most important predictor of user choice, and argued that more attention needs to be paid to options for improving navigability and methods to fund these interventions. It is concluded that an increase in licence fee of ZAR402 would improve recreational value.Keywords: estuary, recreational attributes, navigability, choice experiment, willingness-to-pay, conditional logit model, random parameters logit model

Highlights

The natural beauty, easy access, and range of environmental services provided by estuaries have attracted recreational, commercial and industrial activities (Day, 1980; Forbes, 1998)
With respect to the first question, we suggest that a potential source of funding for this dredging activity could take the form of an additional tariff imposed on recreational boat users of the estuary
With respect to the second question, we suggest the answer can be revealed through the tariff trade-off boat users of the estuary would be willing to make for improved navigability

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The natural beauty, easy access, and range of environmental services provided by estuaries have attracted recreational, commercial and industrial activities (Day, 1980; Forbes, 1998). Two options to reduce sedimentation in the Kromme River Estuary and improve navigability are increased instream inflow and dredging. These groups indicated that these Rand values were appropriate (i.e. the correct amounts within the context of this study). Given the emphasis on navigability and the use of the boat licence fee as a payment vehicle (based on the beneficiary pays principle), the sample was subsequently confined to those who either own or operate a motorised boat on the Kromme River Estuary This ensured that the payment vehicle in the CE was incentive compatible. The questionnaire was administered on-site by 7 trained interviewers during December, 2010

RESULTS

Findings

DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS