Page 11 - HimesAH(2007)

management objectives and points of view usually develop on how natural resources should
be managed. These differences allow stakeholders to develop a unique definition of ‘success’
that may consider the economic, social, biological, or management components of
performance or perhaps a mixture thereof. Therefore, in order to achieve a well­rounded and
well­performing MPA, managers must begin to recognise and incorporate these differences
into management plans and interventions.

The EIMR case study was designed to highlight some of the similarities and
differences between individual fishers regarding preferences for MPA performance indicators
and management interventions that should be undertaken to achieve those indicators. While
much theory exists regarding the different components of MPA ‘success,’ very little theory
exists to assist in the compilation of stakeholder preferences in order to develop successful
management programs. The solicitation of fisher preferences for performance indicators here
was an important first step in understanding the criteria through which stakeholders view
MPA management. The next step is to expand the data set collected here to other MPA
stakeholder groups and analyse the differences in performance indicator selection between
and within stakeholder groups.

It is also clear that in the development of new heuristic tools for the evaluation of MPA
management effectiveness, particular focus will have to be given to participatory
methodologies that help to reveal stakeholder priorities and preferences for management
objectives and performance indicators. Central to evaluation will be the adaptation of more
quantitative tools that provide in­depth understanding of stakeholder priorities. As seen in
this study, the analytical hierarchy process framework has large potential for aiding MPA
decision­making. The AHP and other multi­criteria analysis should be explored in much
more depth for its applicability to all components of MPA management, including design,
location, necessary management interventions and evaluation.