Levels and drivers of fishers' compliance with marine protected areas

Arias, Adrian, Cinner, Joshua E., Jones, Rhondda E., and Pressey, Robert L. (2015) Levels and drivers of fishers' compliance with marine protected areas. Ecology and Society, 20 (4). 19. pp. 1-14.

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Abstract

Effective conservation depends largely on people's compliance with regulations. We investigate compliance through the lens of fishers' compliance with marine protected areas (MPAs). MPAs are widely used tools for marine conservation and fisheries management. Studies show that compliance alone is a strong predictor of fish biomass within MPAs. Hence, fishers' compliance is critical for MPA effectiveness. However, there are few empirical studies showing what factors influence fishers' compliance with MPAs. Without such information, conservation planners and managers have limited opportunities to provide effective interventions. By studying 12 MPAs in a developing country (Costa Rica), we demonstrate the role that different variables have on fishers' compliance with MPAs. Particularly, we found that compliance levels perceived by resource users were higher in MPAs (1) with multiple livelihoods, (2) where government efforts against illegal fishing were effective, (3) where fishing was allowed but regulated, (4) where people were more involved in decisions, and (5) that were smaller. We also provide a novel and practical measure of compliance: a compound variable formed by the number illegal fishers and their illegal fishing effort. Our study underlines the centrality of people’s behavior in nature conservation and the importance of grounding decision making on the social and institutional realities of each location.

Item ID: 41363
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1708-3087
Keywords: Costa Rica; illegal fishing; livelihoods; marine reserve; poaching; poverty
Funders: PADI Foundation, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Australian Research Council (ARC), AusAID
Projects and Grants: PADI Foundation grant
Date Deposited: 24 Nov 2015 02:58
FoR Codes: 05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050209 Natural Resource Management @ 60%
16 STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY > 1602 Criminology > 160201 Causes and Prevention of Crime @ 40%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9605 Ecosystem Assessment and Management > 960507 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Marine Environments @ 100%
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