Learning from Experience to Operationalize Integrated Coastal and Marine Management

Integrated coastal and marine management (ICM) is a system of governance that moves beyond traditional sector-based management. ICM is compatible with the holistic vision of a social-ecological systems (SES) approach. Despite its global recognition, operationalizing ICM has proven difficult. As a consequence, few ICM initiatives have been implemented within coastal and marine SES. The purpose of this research is to examine which elements and characteristics of governance contribute to the operationalization of ICM initiatives and ultimately, sustainable coastal and marine social-ecological systems. This dissertation is driven by the following three research objectives: to synthesize progress with ICM initiatives internationally in relation to governance (Chapter 2); to assess past and current ICM initiatives and identify critical challenges to operationalizing ICM in the Bay of Fundy (Chapter 3); and, to identify opportunities for ICM and to develop a suite of recommendations for moving forwards ICM in the Bay of Fundy (Chapter 4). Multiple methods were used to address these objectives. First, a systematic review of international literature on ICM initiatives was conducted revealing empirical evidence from international experience, and specifically, that a set of three core governance characteristics are important to operationalize ICM initiatives (Chapter 2): formal structures that form the legal basis for ICM through policy instruments (e.g., laws, acts, regulations); meaningful inclusion of diverse actor groups and knowledge types (e.g., social, cultural, traditional, local); and, innovative mechanisms, such as those other than sectoral top-down structural approaches. Next, semi-structured interviews (n=68) with participants who had experienced with ICM initiatives were undertaken within the Bay of Fundy region. Results from the interviews identified five critical challenges connected to an entrenched ‘business as usual’ mentality within conventional top-down centralized governance (Chapter 3). Critical challenges included: inconsistent commitment from legal authorities; inadequate capacity to sustain initiatives; inappropriate engagement of diverse actor groups; poorly supported informal structures and processes for horizontal integration; and, insufficient vertical integration of policies. Lastly, a comparative sub-regional case study approach of the Bay of Fundy (Lower Bay, New Brunswick and Upper Bay, Nova Scotia) yielded common opportunities to achieve the three core governance characteristics (Chapter 4). The opportunities for achieving core governance characteristics are to: learn from past experiences and keep trying new approaches; embrace a spectrum of strategies to enhance quality and appropriateness of actor engagement; and, build capacity of local actor groups for more effective engagement in ICM. Therefore, the following policy pathways for ICM relevant to the Bay of Fundy are recommended: update federal policy statements such as the Oceans Strategy to incorporating past lessons; strengthen commitment to ICM in federal law through the Oceans Act; create provincial engagement strategy to enhance engagement of local actor groups; and, amend the Municipality Acts (provincial legislation) in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to encourage local capacity building and municipal engagement in ICM. This dissertation highlights critical challenges, opportunities, and examples of policy recommendations to operationalize ICM initiatives from lived experiences in the Bay of Fundy. Additionally, practical suggestions are offered to enhance the role of local actors in complementing federal actions and progressing the operationalization and success of ICM initiatives. These results shape how we as scholars, practitioners, and managers conceptualize ICM as a governance approach to advance sustainability within coastal and marine SES. This research has advanced ICM theory and practice globally by offering a tool (e.g., the Elements and Characteristics of ICM framework) to unpack underlying governance for the successful operationalization of ICM initiatives (i.e., planning and development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and adaptation)

Multi- Stakeholder Perspectives on Coastal and Marine (Connectivity) Management in Dominican Republic

Large-scale connectivity conservation initiatives are increasing in prevalence as a variety of benefits are continually being demonstrated through these models, such as establishing and strengthening marine protected area (MPA) networks. The historical approach to solely establishing protected areas (PA) is no longer sufficient for achieving effective protection and often does not include comprehensive and holistic management plans involving multiple perspectives. This thesis presents findings from research in the Dominican Republic (DR) where numerous components of coastal and marine social-ecological systems are addressed, including: status of large scale connectivity initiatives; governance structure inclusion of local resource users; and explore alternative livelihood opportunities. Data was acquired by conducting 35 key informant interviews achieved via snowball sampling with multi-scalar and cross sectoral coastal and marine stakeholders, ranging from the community level to high levels of government in the DR. After conducting interviews and evaluation of current and future large-scale marine conservation initiatives in the DR, current limitations and future opportunities for natural resource management were identified. The trend of ineffective small scale initiatives indicate that the management of individual parks or conservation projects need to be functioning smoothly (i.e. using best practices) prior to establishing larger scale conservation initiatives. Furthermore, there is ample opportunity for multiple sectors to be involved to aid the transition from extractive livelihoods in the Dominican Republic, such as destructive fishing practices, towards low impact and environmentally responsible opportunities. Findings from this study contribute to further understanding complex coastal systems, while considering management implications on local communities and ecosystems in the Dominican Republic. Recommendations from the research support a diverse governance structure of stakeholders from across sectors and multiple scales within the DR coastal and marine sector, to ensure priorities from all types of resource users are included in conservation management initiatives. Implications of this study further support the shift to inclusive governance frameworks that may contribute to increased compliance in the case of protected area legislations, boundaries knowledge, understanding local environmental challenges, and stewardship for coastal and marine resources. All these aspects help provide the appropriate institutional framework to ensure social connectivity, and ultimately assist the integration of local communities into a more sustainable and healthy relationship with nature

Expanding the scope and roles of social sciences and humanities to support integrated ecosystem assessments and ecosystem-based management

Understanding social-ecological systems (SESs) is an important part of ecosystem-based management (EBM). One of the main decision support frameworks to develop scientific advice for EBM is integrated ecosystem assessments (IEAs). Human dimensions in SESs are primarily captured through indicators derived from three social sciences: economics, anthropology, and sociology. The breadth of social sciences and humanities (SSH) research is much greater than those three fields, but they are generally underused in natural science-based decision support processes such as IEAs. Greater contributions of SSHs can enhance IEAs through various direct (e.g. to develop indicators) and indirect ways (e.g. to establish and maintain ethical practices). We examine a wider range of SSH disciplines and conclude that scientific advice processes that inform EBM can benefit from broader integration of SSH theories and methods through themes of contextualizing, facilitating, communicating, evaluating, and anticipating. We see this an opportunity to both widen the vocabulary used to describe social scientists and those who work in humanities in IEAs, and apply the underlying worldviews used to conduct SSH research to fundamentally enhance the IEA process and to further progress in EBM

Marine Spatial Planning in Regional Ocean Areas: Trends and Lessons Learned

International audienc

Workshop on Transboundary Issues in Marine Spatial Planning (WKTBIMP)

Peer reviewe