Abstract

Resolution of conflict must be seen as the key to the successful development of any management plan if sustainable use of resources is to be achieved. The mechanism by which this can be attained becomes more complex and involved as the number of stakeholders increase! and where also these resources are finite. The Soufriere area in St. Lucia is a prime example of this, where greater use is being made of finite marine resources by an increasing number of stakeholders, making implementation of the new management plan a difficult and lengthy process.\The Soufriere Marine Management Area (SMMA) was established out of a series of consultations between stakeholders in an attempt to resolve user conflicts and to put in place a management regime which would allow for continued sustainable use of the marine environment. Implementation, however, has been more difficult than expected due to an apparent lack of involvement of certain user groups during the consultation phase of the program, who now feel that the new measures being put into place did not auger well for their continued survival.\As a means of ensuring equity it has become necessary to revisit the process of consultation among smaller groups and to review the zoning in order to ensure that these new concerns are addressed. The success of this venture is dependent on the mutual satisfaction of all stakeholders who must benefit from the management plan. It is clear that the mistakes made in the early stages will provide a learning platform from which other similar exercises might be patterned.

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