Decision processes for large marine ecosystems management and policy

A number of studies have speculated on the utility of publicly available information for decision-making in the context of large marine ecosystems (LME) management. An indicator-based study using the pressure-state-response model was carried out among senior decision-makers in the Seychelles government to determine (i) whether the precautionary principle is applied in policy development; (ii) the relative importance of ‘control-and-command’ and market mechanisms in the management of living marine resources; (iii) the influence of pubic opinion in decision-making and (iv) linkages between the various LME management modules. Results indicate that policy-makers in Seychelles apply the precautionary principle in most situations, are more oriented towards the ‘command-and-control’ approach, and are very sensitive to public opinions. The study further indicated that whilst policy-makers in Seychelles acknowledged the use of indicators within the LME strategy, some gaps including limitations of indicators in conveying complex interactions were identified which require further study.