Extract:

Background

This report deals specifically with current practices and literature around planning processes and sustainable management approaches for surf breaks. It primarily concerns surf breaks in New Zealand, but could also assist with preservation initiatives in overseas locations. It will assist with identifying issues and developing appropriate responses that avoid degradation of the integrity of surf breaks as unique features of the coastal environment.

The information in this document will be helpful to non-government organisations and community members interested in the protection of surf breaks. The research is also intended to assist in monitoring surf breaks and their surrounding environments and may aid in the preparation of impact assessments.

The research is also intended to assist in monitoring surf breaks and their surrounding environments and may also aid in the preparation of impact assessments. Specific wave quality related impact assessments are already established in the field of coastal science, known as Surfability Impact Assessment (ASR Limited, 2011; Lazarow & Castelle, 2002). However, impact assessment methods are not so well developed for assessing policy and planning decisions on surf breaks and the resulting effects on communities interested in the use of these places.

December 2013