Managing bathers’ capacity at overcrowded beaches: A case on the Spanish North Atlantic coast

Tourism development at small beaches leads to overcrowding and, consequently, tends to increase the hazards for bathers. The techniques to manage the bathers’ capacity include the knowledge of the area where the bathers may enjoy themselves far away from beach dangers. The marine environment, the demography pressure and the popularity of sport activities such as surfing may affect the safety in the bathing zone. Moreover, the area of this bathing zone may change due to beach morphodynamics. Beaches in Biscay (Spanish North Atlantic coast) are small as a consequence of a rocky coastline and, consequently, overcrowding is a real danger. This paper is part of an investigation promoted by the Biscay Regional Council Office that provides a superficial beach model to manage beach occupancy. The intention is to obtain the bathers’ capacity inside a safe area for the spatial distribution of the beach water.