Poster abstracts and manuscripts from the Third International ...

Snyder, John
Techniques for Prevention of Marine Debris at Glacier Bay,
Alaska.
Glacier Bay Outfitters, Littleton, Colorado, USA
57
The prevention of marine debris should be an integral part of a
complete visitor management and education program. The
background of the poster will display a map of the Glacier Bay
National Park region. This will illustrate that the recreation
experiences- offered in this region are predominantly marine
based. Individual photographs that identify the type and
locations of diverse marine recreation experiences that we offer
will be mounted -on the map. A graphic representation of the
increase in visitation to Glacier Bay will visually describe the
growing-recreation use pressures that the area has received. The
two types of marine debris prevention techniques that we use will
be displayed in story board fashion. Those two techniques
include Visitor Management and Visitor Education.
The major elements that comprise the Visitor Management
techniques include: (1) The importance of using the appropriate
visitor/guide ratios for each type of recreation activity; (2)
the need to train and use only licensed guides, outfitters,
naturalists, and boat personnel; (3) the proper use of
communications procedures and equipment; (4) weather training and
the use of weather monitoring equipment for recreation personnel;
(5) tide tables, and the appropriate marine charts or guad maps
must be in the possession of all recreation personnel in
weatherproof containers; (6) contingency plans and the
availability of backup transport, medical, and communications
support are required for all recreation activities; (7)
management policy advocates catch and release sportfishing; (8)
management advocates the photographic procedures established by
Alaska Department of Fish and Game for recording trophy fish;
(10) for anglers and kayakers using the shore, everything that is
packed in must be packed out; (11) record and report all bear
sightings and encounters.
Marine based recreation activities in the Glacier Bay region
include sportfishing, whale and other marine mammal viewing,
charter and tour boat operations, and kayaking. The region that
we operate in is as large as New England and has four tides a day
that can be over 20 feet in size. This area of Southeast Alaska
also has the world's largest population of bears. Given these
conditions, the major elements that comprise our Visitor
Education techniques include: (1) an introduction to the type of
recreation experience we will be offering which includes an
explanation of the relevant regulations and the importance of
preventing marine debris; (2) a determination of the
recreationist's skill level and the assignment of the appropriate
guide personnel; (5) teach bear etiquette, this offers an
excellent opportunity-to explain the need to prevent marine
debris; (6) training in the use of tide tables, marine charts,
and quad maps is essential for kayakers and anglers in order to
prevent their equipment from floating away and becoming marine
debris; (7) describe the recreation activity's clothing and