Identify social concerns and public perceptions relative to the Issue.

Subtask Description:
Identify social concerns and public perceptions relative to the Issue.

Action points:

Carry out stakeholder mapping to identify the main groups of stakeholders in relation to the Issue.
If resources permit, survey opinion amongst these stakeholders and list their main concerns in relation to the Issue.
Agree social indicators for use in the comparing the outcomes of management options.

Area:
Cork Harbour, Ireland

Policy Issue:
Managing additional nitrogen loading for sustainable marine development of Cork Harbour.

Human Activities:
Recreational boating, tourism, urban and industrial activities, fishing, aquaculture.

General Information:
The marine tourism is of very high importance for Cork, presenting a significant growth potential, supported from the natural structure of the area. Lately there has been an increase in the number of recreational boats, placing demand on space for moorings and marinas. The main stakeholder concerns are connected to the status of water quality in the Harbour and the spatial impacts on natural habitat arising from the development of new infrastructure in the area.

Example of Implementation:
The Cork Harbour Study Site team took advantage of previous stakeholder engagement processes that took place in the area. Most specifically, in June 2006, in a stakeholder workshop held in Cork Harbour the main concerns were identified by a group of people that was re-engaged during the SAF implementation as the end-users group. Those concerns are:

Address access to the harbour – road network, parking, and access for recreation – beach, pier, and marinas.
Responsibility for foreshore – need for clarification of the limits of statutory control in the Harbour.
Land/shore use – need for strategic view of marina development, ISPAT redevelopment, Spike Island – World Heritage Potential.
Under-utilisation of amenity potential for Harbour.
Need for identification & preservation of natural and cultural coastal/maritime heritage not identified, maintained, promoted – Harbour trail should be developed.
Added value of inter-agency working - needed to be examined. Partnership approaches important for promotion and dealing with inter-linked issues.

The main social impact is the increase in conflict between Cork Harbour users.

The main indicators to concern in relation to the conflicts among Harbour users over demand for space are the:

number of public hearings on contentious harbour use issues.
number and types of media reports on use conflicts between different Harbour groups.
number of lobby groups.

Accordingly, the main indicators to concern in relation to the safety on the water and during accessing the shore are:

the number of reports of water and shore based accidents or safety incidents
the quality of shoreline access facilities (e.g. piers, slips, ladders, etc.)
the emergency response facilities.

Comments:
The importance of this subtask is crucial as understanding the social demand is a key element to stakeholders engagement and participation to management efforts.

Contact:
Jeremy Gault, j.gault@ucc.ie