Presentation Abstract
A commonly observed paradox in conservation is that restriction of people’s access to nature and natural resources may protect ecosystem health, but sometimes decreases the wellbeing of local people and can invite conflict and reduce people’s willingness to protect resources. At a middle ground between complete protection and unrestricted commercial use is ecosystem-based management (EBM), which strives to maximize the overall wellbeing of both people and ecosystems. An important domain of human wellbeing to track for the purposes of EBM is resource access, or the ability to gain and maintain uses and benefits of the natural environment. Access does not simply refer to the physical and legal ability to benefit from resources; it can also depend on political power, social capital, and economic capacity. Understanding who is allowed to use what, in what ways, and when also reflects other related dimensions of wellbeing, such as food security, meaningful livelihoods, fairness, and sovereignty. This paper reports on the results of a systematic process to identify indicators of resource access to inform US marine and coastal management. Based on a comprehensive literature review, 82 candidate indicators were evaluated according to predefined screening criteria. Top scoring indicators include objective and subjective measures of shoreline access, fishing permits and landings, and access to seafood markets. This working selection of indicators may be used to inform a range of EBM goals, from biodiversity conservation to poverty alleviation. The related literature suggests that measuring these indicators alone will not lead to better marine management, however; local communities must be involved in defining and implementing what counts as secured rights and access to natural resources, and how this relates to their own wellbeing and sustainable marine conservation.
Session Title
Integrating Social Science into Ecosystem-Based Management
Conference Track
People
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Ecosystem management--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Lummi Indians--Political activity--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons
Stronger Together: The Cross-Cultural Coalition to Stop Fossil Fuel Exports in the Salish Sea
2016SSEC
A commonly observed paradox in conservation is that restriction of people’s access to nature and natural resources may protect ecosystem health, but sometimes decreases the wellbeing of local people and can invite conflict and reduce people’s willingness to protect resources. At a middle ground between complete protection and unrestricted commercial use is ecosystem-based management (EBM), which strives to maximize the overall wellbeing of both people and ecosystems. An important domain of human wellbeing to track for the purposes of EBM is resource access, or the ability to gain and maintain uses and benefits of the natural environment. Access does not simply refer to the physical and legal ability to benefit from resources; it can also depend on political power, social capital, and economic capacity. Understanding who is allowed to use what, in what ways, and when also reflects other related dimensions of wellbeing, such as food security, meaningful livelihoods, fairness, and sovereignty. This paper reports on the results of a systematic process to identify indicators of resource access to inform US marine and coastal management. Based on a comprehensive literature review, 82 candidate indicators were evaluated according to predefined screening criteria. Top scoring indicators include objective and subjective measures of shoreline access, fishing permits and landings, and access to seafood markets. This working selection of indicators may be used to inform a range of EBM goals, from biodiversity conservation to poverty alleviation. The related literature suggests that measuring these indicators alone will not lead to better marine management, however; local communities must be involved in defining and implementing what counts as secured rights and access to natural resources, and how this relates to their own wellbeing and sustainable marine conservation.
