The creation of the MAP was perceived to negatively impact access and use of marine resources. Biodiversity conservation was ranked highest in terms of factors that should shape current MAP priorities. Overall, tourism and job creation and biodiversity conservation were identified as the main opportunities associated with the establishment of the MAP.
- Background to the study
- Problem statement
- Study justification
- Aim and objectives
- Methodology
- Limitations
- Structure of dissertation
However, the survival and future success of the Ponta do Ouro - Kosi Bay Marine Protected Area depends on many factors. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of local population support for the Ponta do Ouro / Kosi Bay Marine Protected Area. Therefore, this study adopted a case study approach focusing on the Mozambican side of the marine protected area.
Introduction
Conservation of marine and coastal resources
- Growing pressures on coastal and marine areas
- Global efforts towards marine and coastal areas conservation
- Challenges and opportunities in marine protected areas management
Marine protected areas are increasingly seen as indispensable tools in conserving marine heritage and its rich biodiversity (Fennessy and van der Elst 2004). 2 Recommendations 5.22 and 5.23 called for the construction of a global system of networks of marine and coastal protected areas and the protection of marine biodiversity and ecosystem processes through marine protected areas. IV IUCN World Parks Congress (Caracas, 1992) Recommendation 11 (Marine Protected Areas) called for the establishment of a global network of marine protected areas.
African initiatives towards coastal and marine resources conservation
Such zoning allows for parallel utilization of marine protected areas for stakeholders with conservation and sustainable use in mind (Thomas, and Middleton 2003; Fennessy and van der Elst 2004). Achieving multiple use purposes of marine protected areas through zoning has proven to be a good approach because it tries to accommodate and compromise the interests of all the parties (Borrini-Feyerabend et al. . 2004). Specifically in the WIO region, a major contributor to the expansion of marine protected areas was the revival of the Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment in East Africa (Nairobi Convention 1985) which established the Group of Experts has. on Marine Protected Areas in East Africa (GEMPA-EA), jointly hosted by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in Nairobi and Western Indian Ocean Marine Scientists Association (WIOMSA) in Zanzibar (IUCN 2004).
Mozambique’s efforts in coastal areas and marine resources conservation
- Introductory overview of Mozambique
- Natural resources management and conservation
- Coastal areas and marine resources conservation
- Government efforts to manage coastal areas and marine resources
The agricultural sector contributes about 23 percent of the gross national product (GNP) and employs about 70 percent of the active labor force (INE 1996; UNDP 2006). One of the environmental sustainability challenges facing Mozambique is the management of coastal areas and marine resources. The situation regarding the conservation of marine resources and coastal areas in Mozambique may be a reflection of the global situation.
South Africa’s efforts in coastal areas and marine resources conservation
The legislation will also set out specific guidelines regarding the control, management, use and conservation of Mozambique's coastal areas and marine resources, with sustainability and equity expected to be the main guiding principles (Ministry of Tourism 2003).
Summary
Introduction
Respondents and Perceptions
- Respondents
- Perceptions
There is therefore a need to involve all primary stakeholders in the feasibility study phase with the aim of co-managing the coastal and marine resources of the area in a sustainable manner (Sayer and Campbell 2004). In many cases, the establishment of a protected area requires approval from the government without the necessary baseline information, including consultation with the local people (Reid et al. 1999). The survey of the perceptions of the primary stakeholders, namely communities and tourism operators, should definitely contribute to determine the best categories of MPA and avoid conflict in this matter at some point (Reid et al 1999).
Defining perceptions is not an easy task, and the meaning of the term sometimes overlaps with that of attitudes. Perceptions are the materialization of what our senses discern and are able to interpret from various external stimuli or environmental phenomena (Freeman 2003). Understanding the attitudes and perceptions of individuals and groups towards the environment, both in terms of what it is and what it is considered to be, is important in the decision-making process (Romann 1989).
According to Romann (1989), the behavioral environment of the individual or group is associated with familiarity with the area, daily activity patterns, and differences in socioeconomic status. This means that to avoid bias, any survey related to respondents' environmental attitudes and perceptions should be conducted within their usual habitats (Guelke 1989). Understanding the attitudes and perceptions that stakeholders have about any proposal is critical to any development initiative (Fennessy and van der Elst 2004).
Stakeholders' awareness levels and their perceptions are important to gauge their support and/or lack of support for any program (Reid at al. 1999).
Preliminary preparations
Romann (1989), demonstrate in empirical research that minority groups with higher socio-economic status are comfortable only in their own world and are less so when they come into contact with lower income groups and vice versa. is worth
Study area
Furthermore, as an employee of MICOA, I was exposed to the issue of the establishment of the marine protected area, but I was concerned about the scant details on stakeholder perceptions. To the north, the Ponta do Ouro is bounded by Maputo Bay, from the Maputo estuary to an extension of the Machangulo Peninsula to the Indian Ocean. In the south it follows the Maputo River to Ponta do Ouro on the coast of the Indian Ocean, forming the eastern boundary (Guissamulo and Bento 2002).
Matutuine District consists of five Postos Administrativos (Administrative Towns4): Catembe, Catuane, Machangulo, Zitundo and Bela Vista (the district capital). The coast of Matutuine District, like the rest of the Marine Protected Area, is linear and full of sandy beaches, mostly with well-grown sand dunes. These coastal features, the availability of marine resources and easy accessibility from urban areas, especially from Maputo city, have made the area susceptible to the influx of travelers, tourists, and their presence has contributed to environmental pressures and threats of environmental degradation to the area.
The marine protected area covers a considerable length of coastline and parts of it are characterized by low population density. Ponta do Ouro's population includes local villagers and business people involved in businesses that rely on the coastal area and marine resources as well as local labor. These factors were particularly useful in meeting the purposes of this study, hence the decision to select the site for the study.
Other reasons for conducting the study at Ponta do Ouro include the fact that Matutuine District in general, and the Ponta do Ouro area in particular, have been targeted in the past for development projects that may conflict with the current conservation agenda.
Rationale for the approach chosen
- Research methodology
- The use of a case study
The case study approach was thus suitable as it was decided from the outset that the respondents' perceptions of the marine protected areas would be established, as would their circumstances that influenced the perceptions. To gain access to the study area, a letter of introduction from the Center of Environment, Agriculture and Development (CEAD) at the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) was sent to the local authorities. However, most of the respondents were willing to meet with me even without me having established my credentials – perhaps a sign of their interest in the issues addressed by the survey.
Respondents and data collection
Although the use of a semi-structured questionnaire can be criticized as less powerful and more subjective than quantitative approaches (Neuman 2000; Bless and Higson-Smith 2000), the positive features of the approach described above and the suitability of the semi-structured approach of the questionnaire for this study, overcame these concerns. Realizing the potential limitations of using a semi-structured questionnaire, great care was taken to develop an elaborate questionnaire. In this way, the semi-structured questionnaire served as a semi-structured interview, although it was not an interview in the strict sense.
A systematic approach was followed when meeting respondents to try to ensure a standardized approach to data collection. In addition to the primary data, which was collected using the semi-structured questionnaire, secondary data was obtained from sources containing published and unpublished materials relevant to the study.
Data analysis
In this way, data reduction was possible, leading to data organization and compression. The coded data were then entered into a spreadsheet where tables and other figures could be generated. Thus, the approach used in this study involved reducing and displaying the data so that the researcher could highlight specific elements that he felt were important to the study (Miles and Huberman 1994).
Limitations
During the process of data collection, I was forced by the nature of the respondents to use three languages: Portuguese, English and the local language used in the area – Tsonga.
Summary
The establishment of the MPA requires that roles and responsibilities be shared among the local population. The focus of the study was on the Ponta do Ouro-Kosi Bay MPA (part of the recently declared Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area). It further illustrates a strong sense of inadequate consultation in processes leading to the creation of the MPA.
The study was limited to the Mozambican side of the Ponta do Ouro - Kosi Bay MPA. Understand the perceived impact of MAP establishment on access to coastal and marine resources by local people. The sources of information for the establishment of the MAP were identified by only 13 respondents (37 percent) as follows: the government, especially the Ministry for the Coordination of Environmental Issues - eight respondents (23 percent) and the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Agriculture . and Rural Development (two respondents or six percent).
However, the majority – 33 of the respondents (94 per cent) were optimistic about improvements in the conservation of marine and coastal resources with the establishment of the MPA. How would you rate each of the following in determining the current priorities of the MPA. In terms of limitations, how would you describe the negative impact of the MPA on the following.
The majority of skills were in the areas of enforcement (control, patrols and security), monitoring and community relations and awareness (including communication and translation of documents). The fourth objective aimed to identify the perceived opportunities and constraints associated with the establishment of the MPA.
Questionnaire for data collection and information
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