Browsing by Author "Kajo, Mira"

This thesis concentrates on the place-based conservation and how its implementation suits the marine realm characterized by large-scale patterns and wrapped in scientific uncertainty. There is still great amount of information missing which affects the conservation design. Furthermore, as the science behind marine conservation lacks behind its terrestrial counterpart, the theoretical foundations on which marine conservation and MPAs are laid on is based greatly on terrestrial conservation practices and experiences with terrestrial species and habitats in mind. The social aspect of conservation and marine protected areas (MPAs) is often neglected in research. Also the incorporation of locals to the management is often lacking. For the long-term success of any given MPA, the social component should be a major part of managing MPAs as non-compliance to regulations often follows when the local communities are excluded or not fully incorporated. Furthermore, tensions between and among different stakeholders can weaken the functioning of any MPA. Part of this study aims to shed light on the perceptions and attitudes the fishermen have with respect to the management of Watamu MPA. The setting for the study is Watamu Marine National park and Reserve in Kenya to which I conducted a field trip in February-March 2016. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fishermen in two landing sites - Watamu and Darakasi. In addition, a literature research was conducted to gain more holistic picture of the areas ecology and the outcomes of the marine park. Theoretical framework is based on political ecology and draws influence particularly from its Marxist roots of nature-society dialectics and materialist philosophy. Also emphasis is given to the concept of boundaries with 'power of maps' framework that questions the use of place-based conservation as the only valid approach to conservation. Most of the fishermen in both landing sites were favorable of conservation and understood the need to protect, but simultaneously did not perceive major benefits from the Watamu MPA. Especially with respect to the marine park, some division among the fishermen was detected. Many wished the park would be opened for seasonal use for fishing purposes. Still, the marine park has shown to be delivering tangible conservation outcomes which is why it should stay closed. Adaptive management is thus needed to find common ground between ecological factors and social needs.