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Fishers needs in marine protected area zoning  

Fishers needs in marine protected area zoning

Conserving marine ecosystems, while ensuring the livelihood needs of communities, is a challenge for protected area managers worldwide. Multiple-use zoning can help to balance human uses with conservation goals. Developing effective zoning plans requires information on the condition and uses of marine resources and the conflicts among them. Through interviews and participant observation, we investigated residents' reliance on nearshore fisheries in Ko Chang Marine National Park, a designated "no-take" area in eastern Thailand. Approximately 25% of households depended on fishing as their main source of income, with boat owners earning average net wages of 7-68 US$/day in small-scale fisheries. Apparently unaware of restrictions on resource use, small-scale fishers reported working in 95% of the park's marine waters. Understanding the needs and usage patterns of small-scale fishers will help to inform management and zoning plans for Ko Chang and provide a valuable example for other parks in the region.

Published by: Coastal Management -
Uploaded on: May 2007
File size: 903 KB - Language: English
Keyword(s): Fisheries , Socio-Economics
Category: Oceans

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