The social dimensions of marine protected areas: a case study of the Mafia Island Marine Park in Tanzania

As threats to the marine environment continue to remain high, and conventional resource-management techniques have been found wanting, marine protected areas (MPAs) are being seen as a tool to address the abuse and destruction of the environment. This study discusses the social dimensions of MPAs in Tanzania, using the case of the Mafia Island Marine Park and the socioeconomic, political and cultural contexts within which Mafia people live their lives. (54 pp.)

Social dimensions of sea turtle protection in Orissa, India: Case study of Gahirmatha (marine) Wildlife Sanctuary and the nesting beaches of Rushikulya and Debi

pdf has 37p.

Regional study on social dimensions of MPA practice in Central America: cases studies from Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and Panama

This research focuses on the social dimensions of marine conservation, and makes an assessment of the experiences of coastal and fi shing communities with regard to the governance of MPAs in Central America, based on case studies from Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. It examines the national contexts of the above countries in relation to the governance of MPAs. Furthermore, it analyzes the social impacts of MPAs on coastal communities by gathering the experiences and the voices of the communities and institutions involved, and reflects on how to build bridges in the search for forms and models of conservation that respect human rights and which are able to successfully integrate into local development efforts without affecting cultural and/or social patterns. To this end, this monograph looks at nine case studies across the region: in Honduras, the Islas de la Bahia-Guanaja Marine National Park, the Cayos Cochinos Marine Archipelago Natural Monument, and the Cuero and Salado Wildlife Refuge; in Nicaragua, the Chacocente Wildlife Refuge; in Costa Rica, the Guanacaste Conservation Area, the Ballena Marine National Park and the Golfo Dulce Responsible Fishing Area; and, in Panama, the Nargana Protected Area, in the Comarca de la Biosfera Guna-Yala, the Bastimentos Island Marine National Park, and Bocas del Toro.

Potential for sustainable floodplain fisheries development: a case study of Tatabu floodplain

This study presents evidence from a case study of an ecological appraisal of Tatabu flood plain aimed at formulation management approaches for the enhancement of the fishing communities social economic and cultural realities. Tabtabu flood plain is located north of Jebba and at high water the ecosystems cover about 700 hectares. Fishing constitutes the principal economic activity of natural fish food and flora (especially phytoplankton and zooplankton) which support and favour the growth of over 26 fish species that belong to 15 families. Among the commercially important species in terms of dominance on percentage weight basis are Mochokidae, Cichlidae, Claridae and Characidae with an overall average standing crop of 88.24kg/ha based on gill net experiment. The study based on the intrinsic ecological attributes and local people willingness for sustained contribution of fisheries to food supply indicates that with adequate management Tatabu flood plain ecosystems have tremendous fishery potentials that would enhance the economic well being of the communities. Several management options that are applicable to similar plain are discussed