Why people matter in ocean governance: Incorporating human dimensions into large-scale marine protected areas

Abstract

Large-scale marine protected areas (LSMPAs) are rapidly increasing. Due to their sheer size, complex sociopolitical realities, and distinct local cultural perspectives and economic needs, implementing and managing LSMPAs successfully creates a number of human dimensions challenges. It is timely and important to explore the human dimensions of LSMPAs. This paper draws on the results of a global "Think Tank on the Human Dimensions of Large Scale Marine Protected Areas" involving 125 people from 17 countries, including representatives from government agencies, non-governmental organizations, academia, professionals, industry, cultural/indigenous leaders and LSMPA site managers. The overarching goal of this effort was to be proactive in understanding the issues and developing best management practices and a research agenda that address the human dimensions of LSMPAs. Identified best management practices for the human dimensions of LSMPAs included: integration of culture and traditions, effective public and stakeholder engagement, maintenance of livelihoods and wellbeing, promotion of economic sustainability, conflict management and resolution, transparency and matching institutions, legitimate and appropriate governance, and social justice and empowerment. A shared human dimensions research agenda was developed that included priority topics under the themes of scoping human dimensions, governance, politics, social and economic outcomes, and culture and tradition. The authors discuss future directions in researching and incorporating human dimensions into LSMPAs design and management, reflect on this global effort to co-produce knowledge and re-orient practice on the human dimensions of LSMPAs, and invite others to join a nascent community of practice on the human dimensions of large-scale marine conservation.

An appeal for a code of conduct for marine conservation

“…This is exemplified by the increasing number of individuals and organizations -including local communities, practitioners, academics and NGOs -that are calling for a foundational set of guiding principles or social standards to guide conservation practitioners [28,[54][55][56]. Notably, one outcome of a recent global Think Tank on the Human Dimensions of Large Scale Marine Protected Areas -attended by more than 125 scholars, practitioners, funders and managers from around the world -was a call by a group of those present for the development of such a code of conduct for marine conservation [57,58]. Many other professions, including doctors, lawyers, engineers, accountants and teachers, have codes of conduct to establish a firm foundation for practice.…”

Prairie Lakes: Model Systems for Integrating Ecology and Human Dimensions for Better Management

“…Previous studies of prairie lakes have identified key chemical, biological, climatic, and anthropogenic controls of food‐web diversity; however, the human dimensions of these complex socio‐ecological systems (SES) are not as well understood. The absence of recognition of human dimensions can lead to an incomplete understanding of the coupling between biophysical and human systems and a failure to meet management objectives (Bennett ; Echeverri et al ), which are dependent on public support and modification of human behaviors (Christie et al ). Despite recent efforts to incorporate the social dimensions of human systems into ecosystem management, governance of natural resources still overlooks the importance of stakeholder values and perceptions (Bennett ), thereby obscuring the role of human behavior in the SES being studied (Adams and Sandbrook ).…”

“…Despite recent efforts to incorporate the social dimensions of human systems into ecosystem management, governance of natural resources still overlooks the importance of stakeholder values and perceptions (Bennett ), thereby obscuring the role of human behavior in the SES being studied (Adams and Sandbrook ). Stakeholder perceptions may not be accurate or factual, but it is important to understand their values, knowledge, and opinions regarding an SES because stakeholder perceptions inform opinions on management objectives and identify how likely the public is to comply with regulatory measures (Brown et al ; Bennett ; Christie et al ). Successfully integrating human and ecological dimensions of SES often require either an interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary research approach to both advance scientific knowledge and develop effective management solutions (Cook et al ).…”

Securing effective and equitable coverage of marine protected areas: The UK's progress towards achieving Convention on Biological Diversity commitments and lessons learned for the way forward

“…Protected areas are considered an effective method of managing human activities and natural resources (Christie et al, ; Laffoley et al, ; Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development, ). The CBD defines protected areas as ‘a geographically defined area, which is designated or regulated and managed to achieve specific conservation objectives’.…”