Identifying 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

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.

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