Thesis (M. Sc.)--College of William and Mary. / Typescript (photocopy). Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-87).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Canterbury, 2009. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (p. 220-239). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 334-350).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Southern California, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 219-228).

Marine protected areas (MPAs) cannot be managed outside the context of human societies that are dependent on their associated ecosystems and resources. This means that local people’s perceptions need to be considered in the establishment of MPAs as well as their subsequent management, planning and decision making processes. Accordingly, this study investigated respondents’ perceptions of the Ponta do Ouro – Kosi Bay MPA. The MPA is part of the now proclaimed Lubombo Trans-frontier Conservation Area (TFCA). An interviewer - administered questionnaire was used to obtain primary data from 35 respondents, all resident in the study area and who are involved in various activities based on the coastal area and its marine resources. The focus of the study was on awareness regarding the establishment, impacts of the MPA, the setting of priorities for the MPA and lastly, respondents’ roles and responsibilities The findings from the study reveal low levels of awareness of the establishment of the MPA among respondents, although there was acknowledgement of its potential contribution to biodiversity conservation. Various types of impacts of the establishment of the MPA were noted. The establishment of the MPA was perceived to negatively impact on the access to, and use of, marine resources. It was also felt that the MPA would impact on the exercise of traditional authority. Concerning the setting of future priorities for the MPA, socio-economic considerations, particularly job creation rated highest. Biodiversity conservation ranked highest in terms of factors that should shape the current priorities of the MPA. Overall, tourism and related job creation and biodiversity conservation were identified as the main opportunities associated with the establishment of the MPA. Controlling access to the area, curbing inappropriate resource use, controlling development and ensuring that local people benefit were highlighted as major opportunity benefits. Constraints were mainly considered in relation to the exercise of traditional leadership, access to the area and restrictions in selling of harvested marine resources. Regarding how to collaborate in the MPA, various skills among the respondents were mentioned, with respect to the following areas: enforcement (control, patrols and security) and community relations and awareness (including communication and the translation of documents). Lastly, while the respondents displayed both supportive and unsupportive attitudes as results of perceptions of the intended MPA, in an overall sense, the MPA was considered as a positive development. This was in spite of the perceived weak communications that exist at present between the authorities and local people. Enhanced, communication between authorities in charge of the MPA and local people could help to provide a more positive sentiment towards the MPA. This is particularly true of the local people who, if they understood the rationale for the MPA more fully and how it would impact on their use of the resources of the MPA, would be more likely to support its establishment and existence. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

In 1982 the USA and other major industrial states refused to sign the Convention on the Law of the Sea--the result of the Conference on the Law of the Sea--because of objections to its provisions on the seabed beyond state jurisdiction--the International Seabed Area. According to them the system set up by the Convention is favorable to the third world and inimical to the material and ideological interests of these industrial states. Concurrently, however, the US and its allies argue that the remaining provisions of the Convention are generally accepted and part of International Law. These provisions include, among other, transit passage through straits, the 12nm Territorial Sea, the 200nm Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf. In opposition to the Convention's seabed system the US has promoted efforts at a Reciprocating States' Agreement which, thus far, has resulted in a Provisional Understanding among eight western states. In this work I argue that the limits of state jurisdiction are not conclusively set and that both the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf are subject to political and legal challenges. Moreover, these challenges will grow stronger because of competition, primarily among the major industrial states, over the resources and the military and waste disposal uses of the seabed and because of the inconsistencies of major maritime states in their defense of narrow zones of coastal jurisdiction. With respect to the argument of the US and some of its allies that the deep seabed provisions of the Convention are beneficial to the third world and inimical to the major industrial states I suggest that this is not the case. In fact, the major industrial states are the primary beneficiaries of the Convention's seabed resource system, as they are the beneficiaries of the systems regulating the military and waste disposal uses of the High Seas and the international seabed. The core characteristic of the resource system, however, is the protection it offers to the less endowed among these industrial states and to the major industrializing states. Inasmuch as the Provisional Understanding does not protect these states--most of which are in a position to challenge a variety of the Convention's remaining provisions--the Reciprocating States' Agreement strategy is conflictual and destabilizing.

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are increasingly being used as tools for fishery management and marine conservation.  This thesis investigates several aspects of the human dimensions of MPAs in Scotland with the purpose to contribute to the understanding of the attitudes of Scottish inshore fishers towards this management measure. Paper I reviews the literature on fishers’ attitudes towards MPAs.  It reveals that most empirical work collects information on fishers’ attitudes towards three general issues of importance to MPAs: governance, conservation of biodiversity and the environment, and the impact of MPAs on fishing activity. Using data from surveys conducted with Scottish fishers, papers II, III, IV and V investigate fishers’ attitudes towards, and perceptions of, several issues of interest to MPAs.  Plus, multivariate data analysis was used in all papers in order to identify which individual characteristics influence fishers’ attitudes towards, or perceptions about, the issues under investigation.  Papers II, IV and V use data collected on a survey conducted with Scottish inshore fishers in 2006/07, while Paper III uses data from a survey conducted previously (in 2001/02). Paper II investigates Scottish inshore fishers’ perceptions about participation in the decision-making process. Results reveal that around half of the fishers perceived themselves to be informed about management, but most did not perceive themselves to be consulted or involved in the decision-making process. Papers III and IV investigate fishers’ attitudes towards labour mobility.  More precisely, the papers investigate fishers’ willingness to leave the fishing sector, change to another gear or move to another area to remain fishing.  Results reveal that fishers’ attitudes towards leaving the fishing sector were different in the two periods.  In 2002 most fishers were willing to leave the fishing sector (Paper III) while five years later most were not (Paper V).  Most importantly, both papers point to the importance of job satisfaction for fishers. Results point to the importance of understanding the economic, social and cultural contexts of the fishing industry for the success of measures and policies aimed at providing fishers with alternative job opportunities in order to counter impacts of displacement caused by the implementation of MPAs and reduction of the overcapacity of the European fishing fleets. Paper V investigates inshore fishers’ attitudes towards MPAs and issues of relevance to MPAs (e.g. compliance with, and enforcement of, rules, and state of resources). More precisely, the paper investigates the attitudes towards closed areas between users of different gears which are affected by closed areas in different ways.  Results reveal that Scottish inshore fishers are not a homogenous collective; the attitudes towards closed areas differ among users of different gears.

By dealing with aspects of coastal aquaculture and resources management, an analysis is herein presented at the macro-scale using GIS techniques for the coastal zone of Tabasco state, and at the micro-scale with the description of the characteristics of a coastal community located in the Mecoacan estuary. Transfer of appropriate aquaculture technologies and introduction of sustainable farming systems are major challenges. The total area identified for aquaculture development through the GIS modelling accounted for 23 462 ha, 80% of which were located in the Centla Biosphere Reserve (Centla and Macuspana). The suitable area identified through the multi-criteria evaluation provided a structure in which requirements for aquaculture development could be met. An analysis of the fanning systems in the Mecoacan estuary was carried out to understand local attitudes, capabilities and processes and evaluate whether the potential identified by the GIS modelling can be realised. The results from participatory assessments showed that conditions within Mecoacan cooperatives have deteriorated and increasing interest in restructuring the organisations is regarded as a means of integrating employment and income generation alternatives such as aquaculture practices, to support and improve current levels of fisheries production, and to achieve gains in market development. The analysis of the economics of Mecoacan fishermen suggests that rural problems have not yet been engaged in progressive policies. It seems that previous forms of governance have been maintained to shore up power instead of laying the groundwork for viable rural production, as it is clear that some fishermen are competitive while others are not, regardless of whether or not they are associated in cooperatives. The large-scale exploitation of resources, degradation of the environment and increased conflict over resources in coastal communities suggest the need of an integrated multi-sectoral approach. A strategy towards an integrated coastal management for Tabasco coastal zone is discussed, including those related to aquaculture development.

No description available.

Boston University. University Professors Program Senior theses. / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / This thesis is a story of Oman. It will lightly touch the rich fabric of Oman's history. It will chart through some of Oman's modernization as a cohesive Arab state into the new era under the reign of Sultan Qaboos bin Said. The thesis will emphasize Oman's potential as a young entrepreneur, and discuss the pathways and decisions made over the last two decades bringing Oman to the forefront of economic progress and social development while maintaining its cultural heritage. As Oman continues to look for revenue sources other than oil through industrialization, the thesis will focus on Oman's Fisheries industry and discuss the gradual depletion of its marine food resources--a consequence of over-fishing. The thesis will debate whether an aquaculture industry is the next step up from Oman's Fisheries sector and can Oman used the development of its aquaculture sector to increase its revenues. The analysis of an aquaculture sector for Oman will involve evaluating the economic, scientific, environmental and ecological factors dictating the success of entering this industry. It will focus on aquaculture of shrimp and the reasons why Oman would consider using this species to develop its aquaculture sector. The thesis will lay out various approaches to practicing sustainable aquaculture and focus on three potential options to develop the aquaculture sector. This section will canvass the critical factors that should drive the decision making process in selecting the optimal aquaculture approach that will yield Oman the revenue sources it seeks while minimizing any damage to the environment. The three choices are developed with an across the border measuring device with which Oman can evaluate the socio-economical and ecological pros and cons of selecting any of the three options. / 2031-01-02