Recreation Management in the Venice Lagoon: Methodological Aspects and Empirical Evaluation
By Edi Defrancesco and Paolo RosatoABSTRACT
A stratified sample-based survey has been made in order to:
- quantify and describe the users
- estimate the demand function of every users' typology
- estimate the total annual recreational use value of the lagoon
- simulate potential financing by users aimed to improve conservation management.
Main results:
- the survey has shown that around 13,000 users per year can be estimated (77% boating, and 23% fishing); the average number of yearly visit per user is approximately 25
- the demand functions resulting from adjusted travel cost method and contingent valuation one are similar
- the total recreational surplus significantly differs both between fishing and boating users, and between users living in Venice island (24%) and in mainland (76%
- the simulations of management policies financing conservation measures have been evaluated from welfare and financial point of view.
Different taxation policies have been considered. For example, a €31 per year payment could be charged on mainland-resident users without significantly reducing the total users' number. In conclusion, management policies have to take into account redistribution effects and property rights of island residents.
KEYWORDS: recreational fishing, economic evaluation, travel cost, contingent valuation
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