concept combines the generation of clean energy with the commercial use of
biological ocean resources. Social acceptance of such development is evaluated
based on a face-to-face survey together with in-depth interviews with local people
and tourists who are currently or will be potentially affected by the offshore development. A choice experiment is used to assess the ecosystem services and
non-market effects of the offshore development. The social cost-benefit analysis is
adopted to synthesise both market and non-market effects. The study finds a
generally high support for the offshore development among tourists. The concern
mainly focuses on the uncertain environmental impacts and effects on the local
fishery industry. Neither locals nor tourists view the energy hub which generates
most income and jobs as a very attractive option. The offshore development concept
shows a high environmental non-market benefit which amount to 618 million $NT.
However, the high investment cost overweighs the positive GDP and
environmental gain.
Keywords Offshore development · Multi-use of the sea · Social acceptance ·
Ecosystem services · Choice experiment · Social costs and benefits
4.1 Introduction
1
With increasing population growth and intensified competition for space close to the
ocean, exploration of the ocean space is attracting new interests, particularly with the
development of new technologies (IPCC 2007; Mazor et al. 2014; Wyllie et al.
2017). Sustainable use of ocean is important to reduce the present pressure of human
exploitation and obtain enhanced and sustained ecosystem services from ocean
(Harris and Tuhumwire 2016). By introducing new technologies and concepts,
such as the development of new multi-use offshore platforms, it will be possible to
utilise the ocean space in a sustainable manner for future ‘blue growth’. The multiple
use of offshore platforms means various functions and productive activities
co-existing in the same area, such as shipping, aquaculture, renewable energy and
tourism (Chen et al. 2015). The various functions are connected to each other in a
sustainable way so as to minimise the impact on each other and to maximise the
synergies between them.
Many studies recognised that visual impacts of large offshore constructions affect
public acceptance of such constructions (Bishop and Miller 2007; Tsoutsos and
Tsouchlaraki 2009; Ladenburg 2008). There are also significant negative welfare
effects in terms of environmental degradation from such constructions as
highlighted, for example, in Álvarez-Farizo and Hanley (2002) and Busch et al.
(2011). The development of multi-use platforms is not only technically challenging
and financially costly; it also raises various social and economic issues. In terms of
1 This work has received funding from the European Union’s 7th Framework Program under grant
agreement N
288710 and N
288192.
62
W. Chen et al.
biological ocean resources. Social acceptance of such development is evaluated
based on a face-to-face survey together with in-depth interviews with local people
and tourists who are currently or will be potentially affected by the offshore development. A choice experiment is used to assess the ecosystem services and
non-market effects of the offshore development. The social cost-benefit analysis is
adopted to synthesise both market and non-market effects. The study finds a
generally high support for the offshore development among tourists. The concern
mainly focuses on the uncertain environmental impacts and effects on the local
fishery industry. Neither locals nor tourists view the energy hub which generates
most income and jobs as a very attractive option. The offshore development concept
shows a high environmental non-market benefit which amount to 618 million $NT.
However, the high investment cost overweighs the positive GDP and
environmental gain.
Keywords Offshore development · Multi-use of the sea · Social acceptance ·
Ecosystem services · Choice experiment · Social costs and benefits
4.1 Introduction
1
With increasing population growth and intensified competition for space close to the
ocean, exploration of the ocean space is attracting new interests, particularly with the
development of new technologies (IPCC 2007; Mazor et al. 2014; Wyllie et al.
2017). Sustainable use of ocean is important to reduce the present pressure of human
exploitation and obtain enhanced and sustained ecosystem services from ocean
(Harris and Tuhumwire 2016). By introducing new technologies and concepts,
such as the development of new multi-use offshore platforms, it will be possible to
utilise the ocean space in a sustainable manner for future ‘blue growth’. The multiple
use of offshore platforms means various functions and productive activities
co-existing in the same area, such as shipping, aquaculture, renewable energy and
tourism (Chen et al. 2015). The various functions are connected to each other in a
sustainable way so as to minimise the impact on each other and to maximise the
synergies between them.
Many studies recognised that visual impacts of large offshore constructions affect
public acceptance of such constructions (Bishop and Miller 2007; Tsoutsos and
Tsouchlaraki 2009; Ladenburg 2008). There are also significant negative welfare
effects in terms of environmental degradation from such constructions as
highlighted, for example, in Álvarez-Farizo and Hanley (2002) and Busch et al.
(2011). The development of multi-use platforms is not only technically challenging
and financially costly; it also raises various social and economic issues. In terms of
1 This work has received funding from the European Union’s 7th Framework Program under grant
agreement N
288710 and N
288192.
62
W. Chen et al.