2016 Participants
Sierra Ison
Marine Protected Areas (MPA) are continuously studied and assessed however, little attention is directed to financing of MPA networks. At the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) Conference in 2014, Fiji reaffirmed its committed to make 30% of its inshore and offshore marine area MPAs by 2020. This study aims to explore benefits derived from selected community-based MPAs and recipient stakeholders within Fiji, to better understand and identify sustainable financing mechanisms for maintaining a MPA network. Using Willingness to Pay and Willingness to Contribute Time, top-down and bottom-up approaches of MPAs are combined in a common framework to elucidate possible financing mechanisms. This approach endorses both customary management, and more contemporary science-based styles of MPA design and implementation. Income from fishing, food security and proximity to a fishing market were found to be significant variables influencing stakeholder’s Willingness to Pay and Willingness to Contribute Time to manage an MPA. Tourists WTP was also an important factor in financing ‘hotspot’ MPAs. However, offshore MPA findings expose significant gaps between the concept and practice of creating practical sustainable financing models. These findings are recommendations to the Government of Fiji to consider innovative and long-term sustainable financing mechanisms for an MPA network with goals of biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management.
Funding sources: University Expeditions Committee & Harry Collinson Scholarship
Supervisor: Prof Selina Stead