Temporal and spatial variations in the pattern of shoreline utilization in a region subject to subsistence exploitation

Abstract

Differences in the pattern and intensity of utilization of rocky intertidal reefs along a rural South African coastline were investigated. Regular surveys at one particular locality, Nqabara, indicated that tidal phase had a major influence on activities; during spring low tides approximately 56% of the visitors were engaged in shellfish‐gathering, whereas at neap lows the most popular activity was swimming. Although factors such as year, season and month of observation had little influence on the deasitites of the major user‐groups, significant differences in the numbers of shellfish‐gatherers and walkers were observed during holidays and term‐time. Much of the variation in the pattern of shoreline utilization at this site was attributed to unpredictable societal influences. Additional surveys, conducted at nine study sites, revealed marked regional differences in shoreline utilization; the central region supported the highest numbers of anglers, seaweed‐harvesters and shellfish‐gatherers. Although the intensity of exploitation observed in this region appears to be comparable with that reported previously in popular metropolitan areas it is likely to have a much greater impact on intertidal biota simply because the activities of rural shore‐goers are less constrained than those of the urban shore‐goers.