Coastal Practice Network (CoPraNet) Initial Investigation of Data Availability for Assessing

Tourism Quality Milestones for Cork Harbour - Report and Findings

September 2005

C O’ Mahony* & V Cummins* * Coastal & Marine Resources Centre, Environmental Research Institute, University

College Cork, Naval Base - Haulbowline, Cobh, Co. Cork, Ireland.

Introduction The Coastal Practice Network (CoPraNet) project is an EU INTERREG IIIC funded initiative that aims to promote an integrative approach to the management of coastal areas through better exchange of practical experience between planners, managers and researchers. Within CoPraNet, priority attention is given to the management of sustainable tourism and to erosion in coastal environments. The development of a transparent international quality label for sustainable tourism destinations is one of the CoPraNet work actions currently in progress. With this objective in mind, a selection of tourism quality milestones (TQMs) was agreed upon at the CoPraNet workshop on Sustainable Tourism and Marine Protected Areas (Fuerteventura, Spain: 31 January – 5 February 2005). Over 30 TQMs were selected covering the thematic areas of Nature, Carrying Capacity, Water and Environmental Quality and Socio-Economics. A final category entitled “Other” was also included in the final selection. At the Fuerteventura workshop it was decided that project participants should pilot a subset of the TQMs for a relevant local destination. Suggested activities aimed at validation and testing may consist of:

• Visitor survey to obtain information and feedback • Development of operational definitions for the milestones at the level of

coastal destinations • Collection of information to make milestones operational (ready for

communicating information on their destinations to visitors) • Consider development of a communication and dissemination tool (e.g. via

internet) In meeting this commitment the Coastal and Marine Resources Centre (CMRC) chose Cork Harbour as a pilot area for the validation and testing of 10 CoPraNet TQMs (Table 1). Tourism Quality Milestones Piloted in Cork Harbour CMRC staff selected a set of 10 TQMs to pilot in Cork Harbour. In an effort to optimise the feedback from the exercise, TQMs were chosen from each thematic area (Table 1). All of the chosen TQMs were selected from the ‘core indicator’ set as defined at the Fuerteventura CoPraNet workshop. Once the TQMs were decided upon, CMRC staff set about collecting information to make the TQMs operational (ready for communicating information on their destinations to visitors). Where possible, the TQMs are expressed in quantitative terms. Table 1 list the subset of TQMs used in the Cork Harbour pilot exercise as well as data sources used to measure the TQMs. In undertaking this initial investigation, CMRC staff utilised the four methods outlined above. Where necessary, visitors were surveyed for information and opinion relating to the CoPraNet TQMs. Additionally, each TQM is presented within its thematic area and includes a suggested operational definition, methods of measurement and comments on the status of data availability at a local level to allow effective measurement. The development of a communication and dissemination tool for Cork Harbour is also discussed.

Table 1. Proposed status of CoPraNet tourism quality milestones and the measurement criteria used in the piloting activity

Tourism QualityCoast Milestone Proposed Measurement bold = mandatory/core, non-bold = optional NATURE Information on nature experience • No. of information boards per km of

walking trails • •

No. of hides, viewing points per area Presence of interpretative centres

Rich biodiversity, nature •

•

No. of protected species and habitats present Area of land under agri-environment agreement

Balance between built versus unbuilt & conservation

•

•

Baseline information on categories of land-use and land cover Area converted from non-developed to developed land use

CARRYING CAPACITY Ratio overnight to day visitors • Visitor statistics per annum WATER & ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY Water quality • Drinking water quality for public and

group water schemes

SOCIO-ECONOMIC Safety, security • Casualties due to operations, traffic

and hydro-speeds Good waste collection, management & recycling

• •

•

Monitoring of litter Capacity of recycle services / population No. of recycle points per area km2

Tourist and local satisfaction • Results of survey or interviews OTHER High quality & access of info on eco-label accommodation

• No. accommodation providers subject to an officially recognised eco-label

High quality & access of information on public transport

• •

Private vehicle ownership Percentage of bus stops that display a current and clearly readable timetable for bus services stopping there

Pilot Study Area - Cork Harbour The pilot area contains Cork Harbour and surrounding hinterland (Irish National Grid co-ordinates: 166482 – 74264; 190039 – 74264; 166482 – 55974 and 190039 – 55974) (see Figure 1). Cork Harbour is one of the largest coastal water bodies in Ireland and the most industrialised estuary in the State (Johnson et al. 2002). Cork Harbour extends from the quays of Cork City to the harbour mouth at Roches Point. The harbour is bordered by the towns of Passage West, Cobh, Crosshaven and Monkstown. The towns of Carrigtwohill, Midleton and Carrigaline are situated in the immediate hinterland. Smaller settlements along the harbour’s shores include Whitegate, Aghada, East Ferry and Ringaskiddy. Cork Harbour is analogous with many other coastal locations in that it is a multi-resource and multi-use environment. The level and diversity of activities operating within the confines of the harbour is exemplified by the presence of numerous sectors (of regional and national importance) and their associated infrastructure.

Fig. 1. Aerial photograph of Cork Harbour showing urban centres. Tourism in Cork Harbour Cork Harbour and its hinterland are rich in natural and built heritage and contain a number of attractions for the visitor. In terms of natural environment Cork Harbour is a designated site of ecological importance under national, European and international legislation and conventions. Waders and wildfowl, particularly winter migrants and their associated habitats (salt marsh, mud flats and reed beds) are the key criteria responsible for the ecological importance of Cork Harbour (see Tourism Quality Milestones – Thematic Area “Nature” section). Other important species in Cork Harbour include salmonids - the River Lee is protected under the EU Freshwater Fish Directive - and the otter (Cummins & O’Donnell, 2005). The East Cork Eco and Bird Trail provides visitors with a route from which to explore and witness the bird life of Cork Harbour. The trail is illustrated by a series of information boards providing details on the birds and their habitats. An online bird atlas for Cork Harbour is currently under development, this resource will provide ornithologists access to relevant information on key species found within the harbour environment. The harbour is also bordered by a network of coastal walks with provide visitors the opportunity to experience the activities and scenery of the harbour. Primary water-based activities comprise boating, angling charters and yachting. Crosshaven situated on the western shores of the harbour is home to the Royal Cork Yacht Club, the oldest sailing club in the world, originally founded in Cobh in 1720. The harbour hosts the International Deep Sea Angling Festival and the bi-annual Ford Cork Week. The latter is one of the highlights of the Irish sailing calendar and is a significant economic contributor to the local economy (Shields et al. 1997). Port of Cork has come to specialise in the provision of facilities to cruise liner traffic, deep water berthing facilities at Cobh and Ringaskiddy can accommodate large liners. Cork Harbour’s location makes it an attractive port of call for cruises from the Baltic, Mediterranean and Caribbean as well as trans-Atlantic cruise traffic (Moloney & O’Sullivan 2004). On arrival, up to two-thirds of the passengers embark on

organised full-day or half-day shore excursions by coach to the surrounding region (including visits to Cork city, Midleton, Blarney and Killarney) (Moloney 2004). In 2003, 22,973 cruise ship passengers visited Cork Harbour, spending a total of €19.79 million (Moloney & O’Sullivan 2004). Cork Harbour is also important in terms of military history. The harbour entrance is flanked by Camden Fort on the west side of the harbour and Carlisle Fort to the east. These forts and other installations on Haulbowline Island, Spike Island and Rocky island provide an insight into the British military presence that shaped the harbour until final withdrawal in 1938 (Cummins & O’Donnell, 2005). Cobh Heritage Centre is an information centre largely dedicated to the Titanic, which made its last stop at Cobh before departing on its ill-fated voyage across the Atlantic. The heritage centre also provides historical information on the World War II sinking of the Cunard liner Lusitania, including the rescue effort and subsequent accommodation of survivors at Cobh. Other attractions of note include the Midleton Distillery where Jameson whiskey has been produced for over 150 years; and Fota House and Wildlife Park. Cobh Heritage Centre, Midleton Distillery and Fota Island and House attracted 109,000, 100,000 and 290,000 visitors respectively for the year 2003 (Moloney & O’Sullivan 2004). The harbour also acts as a location for the Cork Golf Club based at Little Island and Fota Island Golf Club, the latter hosted the Murphy's Irish Open in 2001 and 2002.

Tourism Quality Milestones – Thematic Area “Nature”

Information on nature experience - information sources and facilities that promoteinteraction with the local natural environment and are located within the naturalareas of interest.

TpniimdisfTatlb

ImTcHa

TQM Methods of Measurement

Information on nature experience • No. of signs per km of walking trails • No. of hides, viewing points per area

• Presence of interpretative centres

Box 1.1. Methods of measurement for the “Information on nature experience” TQM. Cork Harbour is acknowledged as being an area of significant ecological importance and is currently designated as an NATURA 2000 site and a wetland site of international importance under the Ramsar Convention (Gittings 2004). In terms of habitat type, the primary reason for the ecological importance of Cork Harbour is the presence of intertidal mud and sand flats and estuarine salt meadows, which comprise 88% of land cover within the NATURA 2000 site (NATURA Data Form IE0001058 2000). At a species level Cork Harbour is a site of high ornithological international importance for wintering waterfowl (Smiddy et al. 1995). In deciding on how to measure the availability of information on nature experience in Cork Harbour, a number of criteria were chosen (see Box 1.1 above). These measurements reflect the degree to which members of the public can actively interact with the natural environment through either walking or observation or visiting locations open to the public where information on the local natural environment is presented to them. Information Boards

he use of interpretive or information boards and signs is a common method of resenting information on the natural environment. Through consultation with local ature conservationists and practitioners, CMRC staff identified the location of all

nformation boards situated in Cork Harbour. The majority of these boards offer nformation on the habitat, the species of birds and local heritage and landscape. The

ajority of the information boards are included in the East Cork Bird Trail, the evelopment of which was supported by EU LEADER funding (Figure 2). The trail

nvolves a 120km driving/cycling trail linking 19 important nature sites in east Cork, tretching from Cork Harbour to Youghal (ECAD, 1999). The trail covers reed beds, oreshore and estuarine areas and includes 300 species of birds. The East Cork Bird rail is promoted as a tourism product supported by a brochure and a map, and there re also signposts at various points to allow visitors to follow the trail. Supplementary

o the East Cork Bird Trial are a number of other information boards erected by the ocal authority, local community groups, NGOs with the support of local industry and y the Wildlife Service (P. Smiddy, National Parks & Wildlife Service, pers comm.)

(see Figure 3). Bird Hides n addition to the use of information boards, hides are commonly used to allow embers of public and visiting enthusiasts the opportunity to interact with nature. hese facilities are particularly popular with bird watchers and are thus an important omponent of any strategy for public interaction with the natural environment of Cork arbour. There are three such facilities within Cork Harbour, at Rostellan, Lough Beg nd Douglas (see Figure 3).

Interpretative Centre At present, there is no interpretative centre wholly dedicated to the natural environment of Cork Harbour. However, Fota Wildlife Park, which is located on the eastern shores of the harbour, does offer educational courses on wildlife and nature. In 2003, Fota House and Wildlife Park received 290,000 visitors (Moloney & O’Sullivan 2004).

Fig. 2. Information board at Cuskinny Marsh, one of the sites included in the East Cork Bird Trail. There is a strong demand for a wetland interpretative centre for Cork Harbour that can educate the public about their local natural heritage and of the economic value of wetlands (J. Wilson, Birdwatch Ireland, pers. comm.).

Fig. 3. Location of Information boards and bird hides in Cork Harbour.

Box 1.2. Methods of measurement for the “Richness of biodiversity” TQM. Measuring the richness of biodiversity of a particular site is commonly achieved by examining the number of important species and habitats present within the site. As stated previously Cork Harbour contains both Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA) as part of the NATURA 2000 network. Protected Species As indicated in the NATURA 2000 Data Form, two species of birds listed on Annex 1 of the Birds Directive (Council Directive 79/409/EEC) are present in Cork Harbour (Pluvialis apricaria – Golden Plover and Limosa lapponica - Bar-tailed Godwit). Although the presence of Golden Plover and Bar-tailed Godwit represents only 1% of the total number of Annex 1 species, population counts for both species exceed thresholds for national and international importance for the years 1996-2003 (Gittings 2004). The Annex 1 species Alcedo atthis (Kingfisher) is recorded as being resident in Cork Harbour but is not listed on the data form. Other Annex 1 bird species that have been recorded in Cork Harbour include Slavonian Grebe, Berwicks Swan, Whooper Swan, Ruff, Common Tern and Mediterranan Gull (Cummins & O’Donnell, 2005). Indeed, Cork Harbour in the context of population size is an important site for a number of species that are not provided protection through the Birds Directive (see Table 2). Table 2. Internationally and nationally important populations of bird species found in Cork Harbour (modified from Gittings 2004).

TQM Methods of Measurement Richness of biodiversity • No. of protected species and habitats

present (as percentage of overall protected species and habitats)·

• Area of land under agri-environment agreement in region

Species International Importance National Importance

• Black-tailed Godwit • Redshank

• Little Grebe • Shoveler • Comorant • Little Egret • Shelduck • Wigeon • Curlew • Pintail • Dunlin • Mallard • Teal

• Lapwing • Golden Plover • Grey Plover • Bar-tailed

Godwit • Red-breasted

Merganser • Turnstone • Oystercatcher • Greenshank • Great Crested

Grebe

Richness of biodiversity – quantification of internationally and nationally important species and habitats present in local destination.

Available data on the occurrence and population size of bird species in Cork Harbour are fragmented over the last thirty years. However, it is possible to piece together population estimates for certain species using data gathered by NGOs, such as Birdwatch Ireland, professional and amateur enthusiasts and through the Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS) coverage of Cork Harbour. An example using the Annex I species Pluvialis apricaria (Golden Plover) is provided below (Figure 4).

25 years.

t Data for Pluvialis apricaria in Cork Harbour from 1979-2002. Note no data was available

and Under Agri-Environment Agreement

Similar graphs can be generated for other internationally and nationally important species to demonstrate the ornithological importance of Cork Harbour over the last

Fig. 4. Coun

Count Data for Pluvialis apricaria : 1979-2002

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

1979 1984 1989 1994 1999

Year

Tota

l Cou

nt

for 1982 and 1983. L

e (REPS) is an agri-environment initiative

vailable data on REPS coverage is currently calculated on the basis of individual

The Rural Environmental Protection Schemintroduced in 1994 by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. REPS is designed to encourage environmentally friendly farming practices as set out in a series of measures relating to issues such as waste management, monitoring of outputs, protection of habitats and wildlife (Emerson & Gillmor 1999). In terms of biodiversity, REPS is significant as it requires participating farmers to implement stocking density and fertiliser restrictions to aid the conservation of environmentally designated sites (e.g. Natural Heritage Areas, SACs and SPAs) contained within their farms. Aherd numbers of participants and is aggregated at county level. Data for Co. Cork show 3,539 farmers currently participating in REPS, covering an area of 136,496 hectares (N. Gregg, Teagasc, pers. comm.), this represents approximately 18% of the entire county.

Balance between built versus unbuilt and conservation – quantification of existing trends and recent changes in land-use and land cover patterns focusing on the categories of developed, non-developed and sites of designated conservation

B

e

L

TQM Methods of Measurement Balance between ersus unbuilt & • B ories of built vconservation

aseline information on categland-use and land cover

• on-developed to Area converted from ndeveloped land use en built versus unbuilt aox 1.3. Methods of measurement for the “Balance betwe nd conservation” TQM.

and-use planning is an essential element in the management of the coastal nvironment (Stewart et al. 2003). Within coastal areas human usage of land and

r

water invariably results in impacts to the environment. Thus it is essential to gain a full appreciation of trends in land-use and land cover change and how they may be impacting upon the coastal system. One of the most fundamental changes in land-use is from undeveloped to developed and the consumption of green field sites for industrial and residential expansion. Other common land-use planning issues within the coastal environment include pressures due to development adjacent to or within the boundaries of ecologically designated areas. Baseline Information on Land-Use and Land Cove

he outputs of the Co-ordination of Information on the Environment (CORINE) nised by decision-makers as a

ur. Category Area (ha) % Coverage of Pilot Site

Tprogramme of the European Commission is recogfundamental thematic reference data set for spatial and territorial analyses (Kleeschulte 2004). The advantage of using CORINE is that it uses common nomenclature and classifications agreed at EU level (Büttner et al. 2004). CORINE data for the Cork Harbour pilot site (total area 430km2) was categorised according to land cover (Table 3). Figure 5 shows the total land cover of the SPA (1400.9 ha), SAC (1400.3ha) and NHA (2700.1ha) designations within Cork Harbour. Table 3. Total area (ha) and percentage cover of terrestrial, marine and protected sites of Cork Harbo

Terrestrial component 33000 76.7 Mar nt ine compone 10000 23.3 SAC designation 1400.9 3.5 (4.5 of terr l component) estriaSPA designation 1400.3 3.3 NHA designation 2700.1 6.3 (8.2 of terrestrial component)

nverted from Non-Developed to Developed Land-Use

Fig. 5. Spatial extent of SPA (in orange), SAC (in red) and NHA (in yellow) designations within Cork Harbour. Area Co

s well as CORINE data, the Cork County Development Plan (Cork County Council d residential land-use

A2003) was also examined to identify changes in industrial anwithin Cork Harbour. The County Development Plan sets out the policies and objectives for the planning of all areas within the jurisdiction of Cork County Council. Data obtained from the plan provides details on changes in area for residential and industrial land-use categories within Cork Harbour during the period 1998 –2003 (Figure 6).

Fig. 6. Spatial extent of SPA (in orange), SAC (in red) and NHA (in yellow) designations within Cork Harbour. Tourism Quality Milestones – Thematic Area “Carrying Capacity”

Ratio overnight visitors to day visitors – details on the number of individuals visiting the local region and the length of stay associated with their visit.

TQM Methods of Measurement Ratio of overnight visitor to day visitor • Visitor Statistics per annum

Box 1.4. Methods of measurement for the “Ratio of overnight visitor to day visitor” TQM. Statistical data on numbers of tourists visiting Ireland are typically available at national and regional levels. However, tourism data is fragmented and dispersed and statistics for certain aspects of tourism are only partially available at national and local level (Moloney & O’Sullivan 2004). Cork Kerry Tourism is the regional authority responsible for County Cork. However, since 1997, there has been no breakdown of the 'component regions' in Cork (i.e. North Cork, East Cork, West Cork and Cork City) and Kerry (M. Mulcahy, East Cork Tourism, pers. comm.). The regional tourism authorities of Ireland are currently under review by both PricewaterhouseCooper and the Irish Tourism Industry Federation and findings of these reviews may lead to a restructuring of the roles and remits of regional authorities in relation to monitoring visitor numbers. Visitor Statistics In Cork Harbour, certain visitor attractions actively monitor and publish their numbers. Fáilte Ireland, (the National Tourism Development Authority) also monitor movements and expenditure, however as with the regional scenario, no 'component' area information is available. Any attempt to aggregate numbers of visitors from various attractions around the harbour is hindered by the infrequent and fragmented supply of numbers from tourism providers (M. Mulcahy, East Cork Tourism, pers. comm.).

Cork City Council commissioned a report entitled An Economic Assessment of Contribution of Tourism to Cork City and its Hinterland (Moloney & O’Sullivan 2004), which contains the most recent estimations of tourist visitor numbers to Cork. Within the City Council report much of the CoPraNet pilot area (e.g. Glounthaune, Carrigtwohill, Midleton and Cobh) is included in the hinterland of Cork city. The total visitor numbers, and associated revenue, for the Cork city hinterland in 2003 are given in Table 4. Table 4. Details of tourist numbers and revenue generated for Cork city hinterland in 2003 (modified from Moloney & O’Sullivan 2004).

The report by Moloney & O’Sullivan (2004) provides a valuable baseline and it is envisaged that follow on surveys similar in format will be conducted through to 2006 and possibly beyond (L. McEvoy, Cork City Challenge, pers. comm.). Supplementary to CoPraNet is another INTERREG project focusing on tourism in the east Cork region. East Cork Area Development Ltd., including representatives of East Cork Tourism are currently participating in the INTERREG IIIB funded project Development of Active Regions and sustainable Tourism (DART). DART focuses on tourism development and opportunities to increase tourism, economic and cultural links between the European regions (South Ayrshire Council 2005). As part of the DART work programme, an audit of tourism products for East Cork is to be undertaken. Additionally, a questionnaire survey is to be conducted at Cork airport, the survey will query visitor’s familiarity with attractions available in East Cork and other aspects. Both the survey and audit are due to be completed by November 2005 (M. Mulcahy, East Cork Tourism, pers. comm.). Tourism Quality Milestones – Thematic Area “Water & Environmental Quality”

Visitor Category Visitor Numbers (000s) Revenue (€ millions) Total Overseas 78 38.1 Total Domestic 53 15.6 Total Same Day 807 33.6 Total 938 87.3

Water quality - the biological, chemical, and physical conditions of a water body asdemonstrated by monitoring programmes specific to use of the resource.

TQM Methods of Measurement Water quality • Drinking water quality for public and

group water schemes Box 1.5. Method of measurement for the “Water quality” TQM. The quality of drinking water is an established EU parameter in measuring the environmental performance of a location. The classification of water as fit for human consumption is based on the European Communities (Quality of Water Intended for Human Consumption) Regulations, 1988, which give formal effect in Irish law to the EU Drinking Water Directive [80/778/EEC] (EPA 2004). The Drinking Water Regulations cover a total of 53 bacteriological, chemical and physical parameters. For each of the 53 parameters specified in Irish law, an upper concentration limit (or maximum admissible concentration) is provided. Hence, a comparison between monitoring results from a drinking water tap and the upper concentration limits allows one to judge whether a supply is fit for human consumption. Drinking Water Quality In terms of monitoring requirements the regulations necessitate all public schemes, irrespective of size to be monitored. For private schemes any operation serving a population of more than 50 requires monitoring, any operation serving less than 50 people but includes a commercial activity, e.g. bed and breakfast accommodation, is incorporated in the monitoring regime. In Ireland, the sanitary personnel of the local

authority undertake all monitoring activities. These results are reported to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and aggregated for national reporting on drinking water quality, the last of which was published in 2004 (EPA 2004). County Cork is divided into three areas (north, south and west) for the purposes of monitoring drinking water quality; Cork Harbour is included in the southern area. Access to the monitoring data for Cork Harbour was gained through contact with local authority engineers. The locations of primary sampling points within Cork Harbour are Cobh, Little Island, Midleton and Whitegate. Monitoring data for each location from January 2002 to the present was examined for each location. Table 5(i) – (iv) shows for each year the number of sample dates on which 20 parameters1 were measured, the number of non-compliance values recorded as well the parameters responsible for the breach at each location. For example in 2002 in Cobh 20 drinking water quality parameters were measured on nine separate dates with no breaches recorded. Table 5(i). Monitoring data for the quality of drinking water for Cobh sampling location, 2002-2005. Cobh

Year No. of Sample Dates

Instances of Non-Compliance

Threshold(s) Breached

2002 9 0 n/a 2003 7 0 n/a 2004 12 0 n/a 2005 11 2 Total coliforms & turbidity Total 39 2

For Cobh it can be seen that for monitoring period of January 2002 to present only two breaches have occurred in the category of total coliforms and turbidity. For these two categories this translates into approximately 95% compliance for the entire monitoring period. The other eighteen parameters achieved 100% compliance for the monitoring period. Table 5(ii). Monitoring data for the quality of drinking water for Little Island sampling location, 2002-2005. Little Island

Year No. of Sample Dates

Instances of Non-Compliance

Threshold(s) Breached

2002 34 3 Fluoride, aluminium & pH 2003 39 2 Fluoride 2004 36 1 Total coliforms 2005 21 1 E. coli Total 130 7

The Little Island area of Cork Harbour has recorded non-compliance breaches for a number of parameters but overall compliance levels remain at satisfactory levels. Table 5(iii). Monitoring data for the quality of drinking water for Midleton sampling location, 2002-2005. Midleton

Year No. of Sample Dates

Instances of Non-Compliance

Threshold(s) Breached

2002 8 1 Aluminium 2003 11 4 Aluminium (3) & fluoride (1) 2004 12 2 Free chlorine & aluminium 2005 6 4 Clostridium (2), ammonium & aluminium Total 37 11

1 The 20 measured parameters are Odour, Taste, Free Chlorine (Cl), Total Chlorine (Cl), Total Coliforms, E-coli, Clostridium Perfringens (after 24 hours), pH, Conductivity @ 20oC, Turbidity (SiO2), Ammonium (NH4), Aluminium (Al), Colour (Hz), Nitrate (NO3), Faecal Coliforms, Odor, Total Bacteria @ 22oC, Fluoride (F), Total Bacteria @ 37oC and Nitrite (NO2).

Aluminium has been the cause of non-compliance for the Midleton area for each year since 2002, the most notable being 2003 when threshold levels were breached on three separate occasions. This results in the aluminium parameter achieving a compliance rate of 84% since January 2002. The Midleton area of Cork Harbour also contains the greatest number of parameters that did not achieve 100% compliance, five in total. Table 5(iv). Monitoring data for the quality of drinking water for Whitegate sampling location, 2002-2005. Whitegate

Year No. of Sample Dates

Instances of Non-Compliance

Threshold(s) Breached

2002 12 2 Total coliforms 2003 8 0 n/a 2004 20 3 Free chlorine & Total coliforms (2) 2005 7 2 Total chlorine & E. coli Total 47 7

Overall the quality of drinking water in Cork Harbour is deemed to be of a high standard with compliance for most parameters being quite high for each of the last four years. Tourism Quality Milestones – Thematic Area “Socio-economic”

Safety and security – information on the occurrences of casualties related tooperations and activities within the study area.

TQM Methods of Measurement Safety and security • Casualties due to operations, traffic and

hydro-speeds Box 1.6. Methods of measurement for the “Safety and security” TQM. The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) was established on 5th June, 2002 under Section 7(1) of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act, 2000. The function of the MCIB is to carry out investigations into marine casualties that take place in Irish waters or involve Irish registered vessels. The main purpose of the Board's investigations is to establish the cause or causes of a marine casualty with a view to making recommendations to the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources for the avoidance of similar marine casualties (Marine Casualty Investigation Board 2005). Casualties due to Operations, Traffic and Hydro-speeds The MCIB operate on online database containing investigation reports for all incidents of marine casualties that occurred in Irish waters or involved Irish registered vessels. The database covers the period 1992 to 2004 (May) and comprises 64 investigation reports. Examining the database revealed two casualty incidents that occurred within the Cork Harbour area in the period 1992-2004, details of which are included in Table 6. Table 6. Details of incidents involving casualties within Cork Harbour area 1992-2004 (modified from Marine Casualty Investigation Board, 2005)

Date Location Details 18th August 2003 Blackrock Accident involving personal water craft

27th August 1998 Spit Bank Collision between Port Authority craft

and recreational vessel

Good waste collection, management and recycling – adequate structures for recycling and waste collection in place throughout study area.

TQM Methods of Measurement Good waste collection, management and recycling

• Monitoring of litter – composition, frequency, prosecutions·

• Capacity of recycle services · • No. of recycle points per area km2

Box 1.7. Methods of measurement for the “Good waste collection, management and recycling” TQM. Monitoring of Litter The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and TES Consulting Engineers developed the National Litter Pollution Monitoring System (NLPMS). The NLPMS provides a means to measure progress of local government in the discharge of its duties under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 and enables local authorities to manage litter pollution in a systematic, structured manner. Each local authority in Ireland is required to submit information in compliance with the NLPMS. The functional area of each local authority is mapped and then surveyed annually using Litter Pollution Surveys and Litter Quantification Surveys (TES Consulting Engineers 2004). Guidelines have been issued to all local authorities on how to conduct the pollution and quantification surveys. The surveys can be completed at specific locations, as decided by the local authority, within the functional area of each local authority (M. Hogan, TES Consulting Engineers, pers. comm.). At present the national Litter Monitoring Body are awaiting data from Cork County Council. Discussions with Cork County Council staff have indicated that litter-monitoring surveys are underway for a number of locations within the county, including sites within the Cork Harbour area, it is envisaged that this data will become publicly available in the near future (K. Sugrue, Cork County Council, pers. comm.). Another data source for the monitoring of litter is the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) anti-litter league. Set up in 1996, IBAL is an alliance encompassing more than 30 member companies, employing in excess of 70,000 staff (An Taisce 2005). The anti-litter league comprises towns of population 6,000 and over which are monitored independently by An Taisce in accordance with international grading standards. In 2005, Midleton and Cobh were included in the monitoring programme and were ranked 28th and 47th respectively out of a total of 57 locations (An Taisce 2005). These ranking equate to “moderately littered” for Midleton and “litter black spot” for Cobh. 2005 was the first year that Midleton and Cobh were included in the IBAL monitoring programme, due to their performance it is likely that they will feature in future IBAL surveys, locations are generally replaced when they achieve “litter free” status on a consistent basis (D. Burke2, Cullen Communications, pers. comm.). Capacity and Number of Recycling Services As part of its Race Against Waste! Campaign Cork County Council operates 17 public recycling sites (public bring sites) within the Cork Harbour area. This equates to one site per 25km2, however as expected the recycling sites are not distributed evenly within the pilot area but are sited at locations with high permanent and/or seasonal populations. Larger towns and villages, such as Carrigaline, contain a number of public bring sites. The network of public bring sites comprise receptacles for glass, paper, aluminium, plastics and textiles, however, not every site provides the full range of recycling services (see Table 7).

2 Dawn Burke of Cullen Communications is spokesperson for the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL).

Table 7. Public recycling facilities located in Cork Harbour area (modified from Cork County Council 2004) Location Glass Aluminium Paper Plastics Textiles Aghada √ √ √ X X Carrigaline (1) √ √ √ √ √ Carrigaline (2) √ √ X X X Carrigaline (3) √ √ X X X Carrigtwohill √ √ X √ √ Cobh (1) √ √ X X √ Cobh (2) √ √ √ √ √ Fountainstown √ √ √ √ X Glounthaune (1) √ √ X X X Glounthaune (2) √ √ √ √ √ Midleton (1) √ √ X X √ Midleton (2) √ √ √ √ √ Midleton (3) √ √ √ √ √ Monkstown √ √ √ √ √ Passage West √ √ X X √ Saleen √ √ X X X Trabolgan √ √ X X X

TQM Methods of Measurement Tourist and local satisfaction • Results of surveys and interviews

Tourist and local satisfaction – degree of satisfaction with pilot area as a destinationin terms of facilities offered, recreation management and experience.

Box 1.8. Methods of measurement for the “Tourist and local satisfaction” TQM. In 2005 the CMRC and Department of Geography (UCC) staff undertook a questionnaire survey to investigate the opinions and behaviour of recreationists in the Cork Harbour area. The survey was conducted at a number of locations across the harbour area including Monkstown, Passage West, Aghada, East Ferry, Blackrock, Cobh and Crosshaven for the months of June, July and August. In total, 161 responses were received from visitors and residents in the seven harbour locations. Respondents were asked for their opinions on access and facilities for recreational purposes, presence and influence of management, level of satisfaction with recreational experience and factors that influence their participation in recreation activities within the confines of the harbour. Results show that approximately 79% of all respondents would participate in more recreational activities if facilities were improved. The provision of existing facilities received an average rating of 2.7 on a scale where 1 = poor and 7 = excellent (Brosnan 2005). Suggested improvements in facilities included the provision of showers, development of new marinas and slipways, increase in number of safety notices and development of youth clubs. The high incidence of slipways as suggested improvements in facilities is coincident with the poor rating given by respondents to the maintenance of access points, 1.84 on a scale where 1 = poor and 7 = excellent. The survey results will be analysed further to develop a better understanding of user satisfaction and the key issues for recreationists in Cork Harbour.

Tourism Quality Milestones – Thematic Area “Other”

High quality of, and access to, info on eco-label accommodation – information on accommodation providers that possess an officially recognised eco-label certification.

Ba NA(pS Hpar

Bt Dcsal BIte

TpTr

TQM Methods of Measurement High quality & access of info on eco-label accommodation

• No. of accommodation providers subjectto an officially recognised eco-label

ox 1.9. Methods of measurement for the “High quality of, and access to, info on eco-label ccommodation” TQM.

umber of Accommodation Providers Subject to an Officially Recognised Eco-label s reported in the CoPraNet partner questionnaire on sustainable development

tourism), there are a number of award schemes that currently recognise best ractice and excellent performance in the Irish tourism sector (e.g. Best Audit and ervice Excellence Award, Rural Tourism Awards, Beatha, etc.).

owever, there appears to be no eco-label award on offer to accommodation roviders on a national basis. Consultations with practitioners in the Cork Harbour rea reveal no operators or accommodation providers currently possess an officially ecognised eco-label.

High quality of, and access to, information on public transport – complete destination and time table information available at each point of transit along publictransport route.

TQM Methods of Measurement

High quality of, and access to, info on public transport

• Percentage of bus stops that display a

current and clearly readable timetable for bus services stopping there

• Private vehicle ownership· ox 1.10. Methods of measurement for the “High quality of, and access to information on public

ransport” TQM.

espite being relatively close to Cork city, the Cork Harbour region is not omprehensively covered by the public transport network. There is one rail link erving the area; the Cork – Cobh line. Public bus services to areas such as Aghada re very limited (one return journey each day and no service on Sundays) whereas

ocations such as East Ferry are not serviced by any public transport.

us Stops Displaying a Current and Clearly Readable Timetable n investigating the number of bus stops that display a current and clearly readable imetable the three principal bus routes serving the Cork Harbour area were xamined, these are:

• Bus Route 222: Cork – Crosshaven – Fountainstown • Bus Route 223: Cork – Monkstown - Ringaskiddy – Haulbowline • Bus Route 241: Cork – Midleton – Whitegate

he full extent of each bus route was travelled and the timetable information at each rimary stop along the route (inbound and outbound) was recorded (for example, see able 8). The information for all routes serving Cork Harbour was collated and the esults show:

• For the three principal bus routes travelling outbound from Cork city, 100% (n=18) displayed no readable timetable and only approximately 55% (n=10) had a visible bus sign.

• For the three principal bus routes travelling inbound to Cork, only 11% (n=2)

of bus stops displayed a timetable and approximately 61% (n=11) had a visible sign indicating the location of a bus stop.

Thus for each bus route, it was found that the majority of stops displayed no timetable along the route. In some instances, timetable information was available in nearby shops or local post offices. However, it was assumed that a visitor would not be aware of this fact, thus any location without information available at the actual bus stop was classified as such. Table 8. Details of the quality of Bus Route 223 in terms of availability of timetable information and visibility of bus stops. Route 223 Inbound to Cork Outbound from Cork Primary Stops Sign Timetable Sign Timetable Haulbowline No No No No Ringaskiddy Yes No Yes No Rafeen No No No No Monkstown Yes Yes Yes No Carrigmahon Yes No Yes No Passage West Yes No Yes No

Private Vehicle Ownership Statistics for private vehicle ownership are compiled by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). These statistics are used to derive the "Vehicles licensed for the first time" dataset which is based on data received from the national Vehicle Registration Unit who in turn receive the data from local tax offices. The only available breakdown of this data is to Licensing Authority level, i.e. county (A. Ross, CSO, pers. comm.). CMRC staff consulted with staff from the national Vehicle Registration Unit and managed to obtain data for Cork Harbour from the county dataset. In total, 14,873 private vehicles where licensed for first time in Co. Cork in 2004 (S. Kielty, Vehicle Registration Unit, pers. comm.). Examining the primary locations within Cork Harbour indicate that 2,238 vehicles were registered for first time within the environs of Cork Harbour (see Table 9), this represents 15% of the 2004 total for Co. Cork. Table 9. Number of private vehicles registered for the first time in 2004 in primary towns within the Cork Harbour area (Source: Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government). Location No. of Private Vehicles Registered Aghada 13 Carrigaline 602 Carrigtwohill 150 Cobh 432 Glounthaune 86 Little Island 115 Midleton 587 Monkstown 76 Passage West 118 Ringaskiddy 26 Whitegate 33 Total 2,238

Summary The piloting of the CoPraNet TQMs for Cork Harbour revealed potential for certain indicators to be taken forward as operational tools. The difficulty in obtaining data at a local level, i.e. for Cork Harbour, hinders the operational use of certain TQMs, e.g. visitor number statistics. Table 10 indicates the data availability for measuring TQMs using nomenclature modified from the EEA indicator set:

Favourable – long time series data sets available as part of existing monitoring programme.

Neutral – data available but in fragmented or non-optimal format. Possible to use as measurement but may need modification for adaptation to local level.

Unfavourable – data is either absent or recorded at a scale not suitable to measurement at the local level, i.e. regional or national.

The absence of data at a local level is due to the data not being recorded in the first instance or as a result of the regional amalgamation of datasets whereby the local identity is lost. However, as revealed in the piloting exercise, where data gaps exist, it is possible to obtain information by undertaking standard, repeatable and cost effective surveys as was done for the public transport and information on nature TQMs. The quality of indicators relies on the scale, both spatial and temporal, which they represent (Stein et al. 2001). The spatial extent of the pilot area is well defined for the purposes of the piloting exercise but the datasets used to measure sustainability vary from short time series (1-2 years) to medium time series (10 + years) (Figure 9). Assessment of progress toward sustainability should adopt a time horizon sufficient to capture both anthropogenic and ecosystem time scales thus responding to needs of future generations as well as those current to short-term decision making (Narodoslawsky 1997). Therefore, when coastal practitioners use indicators as means to communicate with stakeholders it is important that the scale of the indicator being used is clearly defined. If measurements of TQMs indicate favourable or unfavourable progress towards sustainability it must come with the caveat that this assessment is based on a recent data set or a longer-term data set.

Tourism Quality Milestone Proposed Measurement Data Status Time Series bold = mandatory/core, non-bold = optional NATURE Information on nature experience •

• •

No. of information boards per km of walking trails No. of hides, viewing points per area Presence of interpretative centres

2005

No. of protected species and habitaArea of land under agri-environment agreemen

conservation Baseline information on categories of land-use acover Area cuse

Ratio overnight to day

Water quality • Drinking water quality for public and group water

2002 - Present schemes

Safety, security

recycling Capacity of recycle No. of recycle points per area km2 Results of survey or interviews

High quality & access of info on eco-label No. of accommodation providers subject to an officially

n/a accommodation

•recognised eco-label

High quality & access of information on • ops that display a current and clearly

•

2005 public transport

Percentage of bus st readable timetable for bus services stopping there Private vehicle ownership

Rich biodiversity, nature • ts present • t

1994 - Present

Balance between built versus unbuilt & • nd land

• onverted from non-developed to developed land-

1990 - Present

CARRYING CAPACITY visitors • Visitor statistics per annum

2004

WATER & ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

SOCIO-ECONOMIC • Casualties due to operations, traffic and hydro-speeds

1992 - Present

Good waste collection, management & • Monitoring of litter • services / population •

1996 - Present

Tourist and local satisfaction •

2005

OTHER

Table 10. CoPraNet Tourism Quality Milestones (TQMs) piloted In Cork Harbour, methods of measurement, and status of data availability expressed using EEA nomenclature.

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