David W. Fischer

Land-use planning for the Guadalupe Valley, Baja California, Mexico

Development threats to beautiful and productive agricultural areas occur throughout the world. This case study of one such productive valley reveals its agricultural uniqueness to Mexico and the pressures for its industrialization. Landscape and regional planning and environmental impact assessment tools were applied to suggest compatible and sustainable uses. Five environmental units were selected according to a digital model of the terrain and the overlapping of ecological maps, aerial photos and Landsat images. Descriptions included both natural and transformed physical attributes. Cultural and landscape architecture parameters were added to evaluate the aesthetics of each unit. Contrasting six potential land-uses (agriculture, agri-industry, tourism-recreation, urban, range management for cattle, and conservation) generated the capacity for sustained land-use, together with an environmental impact assessment. Economic means for directing land-use toward sustainability are to be developed by the local government. Community organization, local political pressure and the tastes of the national government will dictate its future use.

Issue Definition and Planning for Whalewatching Management Strategies in Ensenada, Mexico

The exceptional growth of whalewatching in Baja California Sur (BCS) and other parts of Mexico during the last 10 years motivated the design and implementation of a Mexican whalewatching law based on experiences in BCS. However, recent research in the Ensenada whalewatching area confirms that this law is insufficient in this area because whalewatching boats and other fishing, cruising, or drifting boats influence the behavior (swimming direction and velocity) of migrating gray whales. In the long term, the migration corridor might be displaced offshore, and whalewatching may become infeasible. This study proposes a management planning process to adapt regulations to this area, to promote adherence to regulations by encouraging self-regulation and strengthening law enforcement, and to enhance the tourist service on board. The actors involved were identified.

Economic Valuation of the Benefits of Recreational Fisheries in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico

Recreational fisheries are important economic resources that are affected by conflicts with commercial fisheries. In order to generate information for management support of recreational fisheries, the Contingent Valuation and Travel Cost methods were applied to estimate the economic value of angling billfish (swordfish) in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico. The results indicate that recreational fisheries in Manzanillo generate important economic benefits – not only through their economic impact on the local economy, but also the net economic benefits that anglers may experience. Fishery managers in Mexico should consider incorporating into their decisions information on the net economic benefits of recreational resources instead of using only market information.

Local government planning for coastal hazards in southern California

This paper describes a survey of southern California municipal planners to determine thier degree of emphasis given to coastal hazards within their jurisdictions. With growing property losses associated with the coastal zones of southern California, the study was undertaken to assess the role of scientific information and hazard responses in coastal planning for land use decisions. The findings show that planners lack knowledge of their coastal zones and view the coastal zones as just one element in the overall planning process. Their emphasis on day‐to‐day development permitting overshadows a proactive stance on strategic planning for coastal hazards.