Marine conservation policy in Seychelles: Current constraints and prospects for improvement

The marine assets of Seychelles are fundamental to the national economy through generating income derived from tourism and fisheries. Marine management institutions and policies have undergone radical changes since 2008, reflecting a number of drivers and initiatives at international and national levels. Through using the example of Curieuse Marine National Park in the inner Seychelles, we demonstrate how these are affecting marine conservation with respect to coastal development, governance of marine protected areas and livelihood security within resource-dependent communities. These issues are of significance with respect to the current and future viability of marine conservation and resource management in Seychelles. Potential mitigating strategies are suggested which could lead to more effective governance and conservation of marine protected areas in Seychelles and similar small island developing states.     

Towards integrated coastal management in Solomon Islands: Identifying strategic issues for governance reform

This paper evaluates governance arrangements in Solomon Islands in terms of their ability to achieve the integrated management of coastal environments. The paper uses a modified version of the framework proposed by Ehler CN [Indicators in measure governance performance in integrated coastal management. Ocean & Coastal Management 2003; 46: 335–345] for evaluating governance performance. The results point to a systemic failure of coastal governance in Solomon Islands. The paper identifies the strategic issues for governance reform if the management of coastal environments and resources in Solomon Islands is to be improved.     

Strategic coastal governance issues in Fiji: The challenges of integration

This paper examines the governance of coastal environments in Fiji with a view to identifying the strategic issues that constrain the achievement of integrated coastal management. Integration has, in recent years, become a major focus of efforts to improve environmental management in many parts of the world. This issue is pursued by using governance as a framework. The dominant concepts and strategies being used around the world in environmental governance are then considered as a prelude into the identification and discussion of the major governance issues affecting coastal management in Fiji. These are identified as: (i) integration and coordination, (ii) the need for system-wide governance reform, (iii) the degree of centralisation, (iv) coastal planning, (v) information and (vi) the capacity of governance.     

“Living with our backs to the sea”: A critical analysis of marine and coastal governance in Guatemala

Guatemala's rich coastal and marine biodiversity provides essential ecosystem goods and services to local residents and the national economy through artisanal and commercial fisheries, aquaculture, port exports and, to a lesser extent, tourism. As in many other countries, national policies emphasise the significance of marine conservation and marine resources, primarily through implementing marine protected areas (MPAs). However, this assumes that governance, as reflected in legal, institutional and organizational frameworks, political capacity and human resources is sufficiently developed to ensure MPAs meet these goals. These issues are explored through presenting the first detailed analysis of coastal and marine governance in Guatemala. The research highlights a range of barriers to good governance which restrict the extent to which MPAs can function effectively. Recommendations are made which can capitalise upon the potential for locally managed marine areas as a means to facilitate the improved governance of coastal and marine resources in Guatemala.     

Small-scale marine fisheries policy in Vietnam

Vietnam's marine fisheries are considered to be small scale and are concentrated in coastal near-shore waters. This has resulted in heavy pressure on near-shore fisheries resources. Near-shore fisheries are considered by fishers and the government to be over-exploited, causing hardship for many coastal communities. This paper reviews and analyzes changes in policy towards small-scale fisheries in Vietnam over the last two decades. The primary issues facing the small-scale fisheries in Vietnam are to restructure the near-shore fisheries and to address over-capacity. Recommended actions include improved fisheries statistics, resources for provincial fisheries staff, and a coordinated and integrated approach involving a mixed strategy of resource management; resource restoration; economic and community development; and new governance arrangements.     

Regional disparities in China's marine economy

Understanding the performance of each coastal area as it develops is the primary task of policy-makers in a marine economy; however, quantitative regional differences in China's marine economy have not been empirically examined. This paper offers a methodological contribution by applying a series of techniques, including the variation coefficient, Gini coefficient, and Theil index decomposition, to illustrate the relative differences among coastal areas. Additionally, the coastal areas of China were divided into two categories to reveal the provincial differences and regional disparities in China's marine economy. The results show that although the numerical economic differences in Gross Ocean Product (GOP) among coastal areas have increased significantly during the 21st century, the gaps among coastal regions have gradually decreased. In addition, China's marine economy presents three levels of regional development (developed, medium-developed, and developing). The results of the Theil index decomposition show that the overall difference in China's marine economy is derived mainly from differences within the three macro marine economic regions; these differences account for more than 95% of the overall difference. Furthermore, the underlying reasons for and driving mechanism of regional differences in China's marine economy can be illuminated in terms of differences in natural resource endowments and geographic locations; industrial agglomeration and diffusion; changes in regional development policy; and foreign investment. These findings offer basic data support and policy recommendations for marine economy management at the national and regional levels.     

基于多维影响机制的海岸带退缩线分级分类评估及管控研究——以东营市为例

海岸带退缩线是海岸带国土空间规划工作的重要部分,平衡沿海城市资源利用与生态保护需求,保障沿海地区健康可持续化发展的安全底线。目前我国海岸带退缩线缺乏系统的评估和管控体系,文章通过梳理社会经济价值、空间发展潜力、景观风貌风险、海洋灾害风险、生态环境价值5个影响维度与海岸带各类要素的关联机制,建立了陆海统筹的滨海地区海岸带退缩线重要程度的评估体系,总结我国海岸带退缩线分级分类差异化管控策略,并以东营市为例,进一步探讨了该评估体系在退缩线划定和管控层面的应用,以期为海岸带国土空间规划的管控提供参考。     

Outside the law? Analyzing policy gaps in addressing fishers’ migration in East Africa

Coastal areas, and their small-scale fisheries, are important targets for both internal and transboundary migration partly because high mobility is an inherent feature of many artisanal fisheries livelihoods. As climatic changes are forecast to occur, environmental changes may trigger increased flows of migrant fishers. Policies that seek to promote development in ways that do not extensively degrade natural resources will thus have to deal with likely increases in flows of people across administrative boundaries. However, to date little attention has been directed at this issue and little is known about how policies related to coastal resources and development address these issues. This paper addresses this knowledge gap by analyzing policies and legal documents related to coastal resource management and development to examine the extent to which they recognize and integrate fishers' migration in their provisions. Migrant well-being and vulnerabilities are also addressed by examining the extent to which existing policies dealing with socio-economic development and environmental management address migrants and their needs. The analysis shows that policies related to governance of marine resources and coastal development lack an acknowledgment of fishers' migration issues and suggests that this signals an important gap in policy. The implications of this are discussed. The paper also highlights the fact that the invisibility of the issue in policy means that institutions developed to deal with coastal management at the community level may not have sufficient support from legal and policy documents, and may not be developed or equipped to handle the possible conflicts and difficult trade-offs that need to be addressed as a result of current and potentially increasing fishers’ mobility.     

An ecosystem-based framework for governance and management of maritime cultural heritage in the USA

A new federal administration, alongside initiatives proposed by the President's US Commission on Ocean Policy, provides a timely and critical opportunity for maritime archaeologists and cultural resource managers to re-consider management frameworks for maritime cultural heritage in the USA. Policy is urgently needed that defines governments’ roles and responsibilities in protecting and managing maritime cultural heritage in federal waters. Implementation of a regional governance structure based on the tenets of ecosystem-based management is proposed in this paper to manage and develop these resources effectively. Through regional governance, the maritime heritage of the USA can be conserved for future generations, keeping its citizens connected to deep-rooted maritime traditions and contribute to the well-being, economic growth and development of coastal communities.     

Technical foundation research on high resolution remote sensing system of China''s coastal zone

China‘s coastal zone is a region with a highly developed economy that contrasts clearly with the slow paced regular investigation on its natural environment, which cannot keep pace with the requirement of economic development and modem management.Laying a theoretical foundation for the modem management of China‘s costal zone is aimed at.This research focuses on the following processing and analyzing technologies for coastal zone high-resolution remote sensing data: organization and management of large amounts of high-resolution remote sensing data, quick and precise spatial positioning system,algorithms for image fusion in feature level and coastal zone feature extraction. They will form a technical foundation of the system. And, if combined with other research results such as coastal zone remote sensing classification system and its mapping subsystem, an advanced technical frame for remote sensing investigation of coastal zone resource will be constructed.     

滨海旅游业对海洋经济发展的贡献度研究

改革开放以来,滨海旅游业兴起并不断发展,已经成为重要海洋产业之一。文章选取2001—2020年滨海旅游业产业增加值和海洋生产总值,构建了直接贡献率、间接贡献率和边际贡献率模型,测算了滨海旅游业对海洋经济发展的贡献度。结果表明,滨海旅游业的直接贡献率呈上升趋势,间接贡献率多保持在2%～4%,选定研究期内,滨海旅游业对海洋...     

The Sanya Coral Reef National Marine Nature Reserve,China: A governance analysis

This paper examines the governance of the Sanya Coral Reef National Marine Nature Reserve (SCR-NMNR) in China in the context of a rapidly growing local economy, driven mainly by recent growth in the tourism sector. The governance approach adopted in the SCR-NMNR is characterised by significant decentralisation, i.e. many roles have been devolved to the local government. However, this has led to the undermining of strategic conservation objectives by local economic development priorities, through the rapid development of mass tourism involving both the private sector and the local government. This reliance on economic incentives has provided alternative livelihoods and resources for the management of the MPA, but has also incurred environmental and social costs. Overall, it can be argued that the current governance approach cannot effectively address the full spectrum of challenges encountered, in that these costs appear to outweigh the benefits. In order to improve the governance of the SCR-NMNR towards more effective and equitable outcomes, strengthened leadership from the central state will be needed, as well as a sense of community stewardship towards the MPA.     

Towards climate adaptation and coastal governance in Ireland: Integrated architecture for effective management?

Coastal environments are susceptible to a range of impacts arising from medium and long-term climate change. However, as Ireland's population and industrial centres are concentrated in coastal locations, Ireland's coastal communities will be particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Therefore, making the best use of existing knowledge to inform the establishment of governance structures capable of facilitating the measures and actions which may soon be required is a national imperative. Coastal communities worldwide have turned to integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) as a process to deliver sustainable development. This paper explores how experience gained from ICZM implementation can be harnessed to inform the development and implementation of climate adaptation policies, with a particular focus on the coastal zone. Using the principles and conceptual basis of Earth System Governance – an emerging approach to analyse complexity of governance under global environmental change – the paper maps the architecture of ICZM and climate governance in Ireland. The research identifies the main barriers to, and opportunities for, integrated application of the two policy domains. Barriers include the fragmentation of governance structures and responsibilities of key stakeholders, a lack of coordinated support for ICZM implementation at the national level, and a relatively weak awareness of the specifics of adaptation at the local level. Opportunities include the availability of expertise gathered from phases of ICZM implementation in Ireland, which encompasses mechanisms for science-policy integration, and invaluable experience of stakeholder participation and interaction. Current political and scientific support at national and EU levels give an additional impetus to climate research and actions which may bring additional opportunities and resources to coastal governance in Ireland.     

Controlling the coast

This paper conceptualizes the coast as commons and treats the implications of collective governance driven by the characteristics of coastal commons. Institutional control is essential, and two key institutions – state and local resource management institution – are central to the control of the coast as every other institution, from international aid agencies to private sector and non-government organizations, must go through them to develop and manage the coast. In the practice of institutional control, spatial management critical to integrated coastal management and ecosystem-based management emerges as an innovative approach to the success of coastal management.     

滨海旅游开发与保护的研究

滨海旅游业在带来巨大的经济利益的同时，对沿海地区的环境具有一定的负面作用。区域海岸带综合管理规划是解决滨海旅游业的开发与环境保护矛盾的有效方法。按照综合管理的原则在对海岸带地区资源承载力和生态承载力做出估计后确定其环境容量及旅游容量，在保证国家宏观调控和地区优先发展方向的大前提下，做出滨海旅游可能的最优发展规划，最终应在地区性法规体现以保证实施。同时旅游业行业管理条例中同样应做出规定，提倡生态旅游，真正地实现海岸带和旅游业的可持续性发展。     

基于管治理念的区域海岸带综合管理模式探究

海岸带综合管理(Integrated Coastal Zone Management,即ICZM)是一种能够协调多方利益冲突,并以实现海岸带资源配置最优化和公共利益最大化为目标的管理方法。以区域海岸带综合管理模式为研究对象,在分析地方海岸带综合管理存在问题的基础上,通过对西方管治理念的引介,构建了一个强调协调和融合的区域海岸带综合管理新模式,并对该模式的组织构成、管理计划的制定、冲突的解决、计划的实施和反馈以及管理模式有效运作的保障机制作了系统的阐述,以期推动海岸带地区的可持续发展。     

Current issues in fisheries governance in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

In this paper we identify the critical issues which Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries must address in defining their approach to fisheries governance. We suggest practical measures which should be taken in order to deal with these issues. Emphasis is placed on institutional reform which builds a broader institutional base for resource management than has been common in the past. Fisheries administrations need to develop partnerships with nongovernmental organizations, particularly fisherfolk organizations. This includes strengthening the capacity of those organizations to participate in the management process. There is also the need to strengthen regional organizations within the Caribbean, in order that they may better manage shared resources within the region as well as participate in international management initiatives.     

Co-management in Japanese coastal fisheries: institutional features and transaction costs

This paper presents the institutional history and features of Japanese coastal fishery management, including the past decade's major legislative developments. In Japan, local resource users have been the principal decision makers in fishery resource management. Under the current Fishery Law, resource conservation is an integral part of resource use. Coordination of fisheries’ issues, such as rights/license distribution and local regulations, is achieved by multilevel coordinating organizations. Government and/or research institutes provide support with planning, scientific advice, etc. A brief analysis of Kanagawa Prefecture suggests that the fisheries transaction costs, especially the monitoring, enforcement and compliance costs, are remarkably low.     

Effectiveness of land management measures to reduce coastal georisks, eastern Québec, Canada

Erosion and flooding are geohazards that pose a significant problem in eastern Québec, as they do throughout the world. To manage such risks, zoning to set limits on new construction projects is generally the first adaptation solution introduced in an area. However, very few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of zoning in terms of risk reduction. Offered here is a retrospective approach to evaluate the evolution of settlement in coastal areas before and during the progressive implementation of zoning laws and regulations in the Percé region of eastern Québec, Canada. It was possible to evaluate the evolution of the built environment and coastal hazards by using 6 series of aerial photographs (1934-2001) and archived processed in a GIS. The results show a significant change in coastal land use. At first land use was consistent with a fishery-based economy, and later with an economy based on the tourism industry. Such a transformation in human activity leads to changes in the typology of the built environment, and consequently to an increase in the value of buildings at risk. Due to widespread ignorance respecting the intensity of hazards and the rhythm of coastal evolution, a lack of understanding and acceptance of land management regulations, an excessive level of confidence respecting anti-erosion protective structures and conscious risk taking by property owners seeking to take advantage of the coast’s attractiveness among others for tourism purposes, the implementation of land use planning and development laws and regulations in the 1980s was not able to limit the number of buildings at risk in the coastal zone. In fact, a 133% increase in buildings at risk was observed between 1980 and 2001. Only one quarter of this increase can be attributed to the coastline’s movement caused by erosion, whereas 74% of the buildings newly at risk were new, built in a zone where building was prohibited. Poorly adapted measures that limited risks over an insufficient period were also observed. Such observations reveal a problem of governance respecting the management and prevention of natural coastal hazards. While it may be useful to redefine measures for the zoning of coastal risks with precision and based on criteria that take into account the dynamics of coastal hazards, zoning on its own is no guarantee of risk reduction. Such zoning measures must be developed and applied along with a strategy for communicating hazards and risk to all actors in the coastal zone. Due to the complexity of the problems involved, reinforcing adaptive capacities of coastal communities with respect to coastal hazards requires a process whose efficiency is ensured by close collaboration among the various actors (scientists, managers, levels of government, the general public).     

Communicating risk through a DSS: A coastal risk centred empirical analysis

Risk communication has recently evolved from the design of unidirectional (from scientists to the public) information flow toward a more integrative deliberative procedures (involving scientists, policymakers, stakeholders and the general public) aimed at reconciling diverging social constructs of risk. Furthermore, risk communication is seen now as an activity that is transverse to the risk governance process as a whole. Risk communication is therefore part of the preassessment, appraisal, characterization/evaluation and management phases of risk governance. At the same time the development of risk management Decision Support Systems are increasingly geared at facilitating decision making while taking into account and streamlining all the phases of the risk governance process. These recent trends lead to a redefinition of the role of risk communication in the context of the development of DSS.This paper explores these issues by analysing how risk communication can be integrated into THESEUS's DSS. A first step of this analysis consists of applying grounded theory to analyse stakeholders' perception in three of THESEUS's application settings. We then compare this theorization to the grounded theorization of the foundational model of THESEUS's DSS. The result of this comparison points to diverging, yet not incompatible, paradigmatic views on the nature of coastal risks. These divergences are further analysed through semi-structured interviews with key informants involved in the development of the DSS.Building on these results we develop a communication scheme that should allow a progressive convergence of paradigmatic views occurring through the use of the DSS; we are thus proposing that the DSS in itself be a locus where risk communication as a deliberative practice occurs. In order to achieve this we propose that the cognitive pathways followed by DSS users be proactively designed and involves integrative exchanges between designers, users and policy makers.