Abstract

For over a decade the picturesque coastal district of Soufriere has been home to increasing conflict between local fishermen and the growing tourism sector. Despite past attempts to resolve these issues and a number of Fishery Priority Areas and Marine Reserves being created in 1986, the conflicts persisted and started to escalate. ; In late 1992, a joint effort by the Soufriere Development Foundation, the Department of Fisheries and the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute devised a new approach to define and resolve these conflicts. The process ensured wide-scale, multiple representation by interest groups and government agencies and also ensured that groups were able to fully identify and express their concerns and recommendations. ; This approach has proved highly effective. Fishing Priority Areas and Marine Reserves have been redefined, and a "Preliminary Agreement on the Use and Management of Marine and Coastal Resources in the Soufriere Region" identifies areas for various types of fishing, scuba diving, yacht mooring, and recreation. The agreement has the overall support of interest groups and defines rules to guide the use of zones and multiple use areas. It has recently been submitted for government approval.

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