ReefStakeholders

Identifying Key Stakeholders

Who are the key Stakeholders?

• Key stakeholders include the government, environmental organizations, scientists, commercial interests and the public
• Management practices require approval from federal agencies and must be consistent with laws
• In ecosystem management the public is welcomed as a diverse resource and effective problem solver
• Implementation requires public oversight and their involvement in activities
• An advisory committee that includes all of these members is necessary for successful management
• Decisions can be reached and solutions developed through discussions and broad stakeholder involvement
• Solutions can be sought through stakeholder cooperation and partnerships among stakeholders
• Consensus building allows confrontation to be avoided as well as polarization on issues
• It is important to maintain connectedness with the management agencies directly for successful implementation
• Education and outreach are key in ensuring successful participation by all stakeholders

Resources

• Tilmant, James. Coral Reef Protected Areas: A Guide for Management. Prepared by the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Working Group on Ecosystem Science and Conservation. March, 2000.
• Ecosystem Management: Adaptive Community-Based Conservation by: G.K. Meffe, L.A., Nielsen, R.L. Night, & D.A. Schenborn. 2002. Chapter 2.
• Lackey, R. T. (2001). Values, policy, and ecosystem health. Bioscience 51:437-443.
• Holling, C.S. and G.K. Meffe. (1996). Control and the pathology of natural resource management. Conservation Biology 10(2): 328-337.
• Botsford, L.W., et al. (1997). The management of fisheries and marine ecosystems. Science. 277:509-515.