Abstract

This paper examines the effects of legislative status, institutional arrangements for management, and ecological conditions of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on the socio-economic status of stakeholders. The study sites selected for investigation were the Negril Marine Park in Jamaica, and the Princess Alexandra Land and Sea National Park in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.\The socio-economic data were collected primarily through the use of a formal questionnaire instrument administered to the principal user groups. The questionnaire was used to collect Ínformation ondemographics, capitalassets and individuals' perceptions of the marine parks. The ecological evaluation involved comparative analyses of the coral reefbenthic structure, urchin and fish censuses as well as a stakeholder interview survey to assess changes inside and outside the boundaries of the marine parks. The evaluation of the managerial regime of the MPAs involved a review of the legislative policies and institutional mechanisms incorporated in the management plans of the study sites.\Results indicated that variation in the institutional arrangements for management and different management plans has resulted in different effects on the social and economic characteristics of user groups. For the most part, the unofficially managed Negril Marine Park achieves its management objectives yet exhibits mínimal economic and social impacts on stakeholders, concurrent with mínimal ecological improvements. The Princess Alexandra Land and Sea National Park being designated a non-consumptive use area with little community participation, produces relatively more social than economic and ecological impacts on stakeholders.\In general, there have been minimal ecological changes associated with the implementation of the MPAs and minimal economic impacts on stakeholders. Despite this, there appears to be wide support for the MPAs among stakeholders and a desire for improved management and community participation.

PDF Preview