A Survey to Assess the Needs of MPAs in Building Capacity for Effective Management and Coral Reef Conservation

Transcription

1 A Survey to Assess the Needs of MPAs in Building Capacity for Effective Management and Coral Reef Conservation Tegan Churcher HOFFMANN Ph.D T.C. Hoffmann and Associates, Oakland, CA, USA, TEL: , Abstract Twenty-eight coral reef Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in East Africa, East Asia, the South Pacific, and the Wider Caribbean were surveyed to assess reef threats, and management,, and outreach needs of various stakeholders. Respondents answered over 40 questions in a written survey. Results show that the three biggest challenges sites face are financial support (13 sites), staff shortages (nine sites), and enforcement of regulations (four sites). Our findings also show that the three most critical issues facing the sites, as perceived by the respondents, are over-fishing and destructive fishing (22 sites), followed by tourism impacts (14 sites), and sewage and waste disposal (14 sites). This paper will present detailed results from the survey and offer recommendations that will assist efforts to foster management effectiveness and improve coral reef conservation. Keywords coral reef management, effective management, marine protected areas Introduction Fringing one-sixth of the world s coastlines, coral reefs possess nearly unparalleled biological diversity and provide habitat to hundreds of thousands of animal and plant species (Birkeland, 1997; Reaka-Kudla, 1997) Reefs provide the primary source of protein to a large proportion of the world s population, and millions of coastal inhabitants depend on fishing and other reef-related industries for their livelihoods. Despite their importance, according to The Status of the Coral Reefs of the World 2000, we have already lost 27 percent of the world s reefs; another 18 percent are expected to suffer destruction in the next ten or twenty years. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are recognized as one of the most promising solutions for ensuring the survival of coral reef ecosystems and safeguarding the many benefits they provide people (Halpern, 2000). While more than 660 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) exist worldwide, most are paper parks and not achieving conservation objectives (Spalding, Ravilious, and Green, 2001). The purpose of this study was to quantify MPA managers perceptions about the problems facing their reefs and MPA, as well as what will be required to build the capacity and improve MPA effectiveness. As a founding partner of the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN), CORAL is assisting selected MPA sites with their coral reef management and outreach efforts by providing tools, resources, and capacity building initiatives. In partnership with ICRAN regional coordinators, 28 MPAs in East Africa East Asia, the South Pacific, and the Wider Caribbean were surveyed to assess reef threats, and management,, and outreach needs of various stakeholders. This paper will present detailed results from the survey and offer recommendations that will assist the efforts to foster management effectiveness and improve coral reef conservation. Methods Data were collected through a written survey. Our goal was to survey all ICRAN demonstration and target MPA sites in the four regions where the ICRAN works. We administered the surveys through the ICRAN regional coordination units (RCU). The RCUs include the East Asia Seas United Nations Environment Program/RCU, the East Africa United Nations Environment Program/RCU, the South Pacific Regional Environment Program/RCU, and the Caribbean United Nations Environment Program/RCU. The first set of surveys was administered on August 2002 in East Asia. Eight out of eight ICRAN MPAs responded. In 2003, we received results from East Africa, the South Pacific, and the Wider Caribbean. Only one of the six ICRAN sites in East Africa responded. We sent out surveys to six ICRAN sites in the South Pacific and received responses from two ICRAN sites plus one additional MPA. Nine out of ten ICRAN sites responded to the survey plus six additional MPAs filled out surveys in the Wider Caribbean. We received detailed responses to over 40 questions from 28 MPAs, 20 ICRAN sites and eight non-icran sites. We analyzed the data from all sites. The questionnaire was reviewed and revised for each region by the regional coordinator. Some questions were added or deleted accordingly based upon regional recommended changes. Surveys were translated into the appropriate languages and responses translated back into English. We used four types of

2 questions in the survey: multiple choice, numeric open end, text open end, and rating scales (Bernard, 1994). Examples of questions follow: 1) multiple choice: what type of ecosystem is found in the MPA, a. coral reef, b. mangrove, c. seagrass, d. other and do you have a user fee system, a. yes or b. no; 2) numeric open end: what is your operating budget and how many staff do you have; 3) text open end (most common question format): who are the key stakeholders of the MPA, what types of trainings do you and your staff need to be a more effective, and in what are the primary threats to the reefs in the MPA; and, 4) rating scales: how would you describe the coral reef health in the MPA a. excellent, b. good, c. fair, d. poor. Data were entered into a database and numeric open and text open end questions were coded with keywords. In some cases respondents did not answer all of the questions. The information is based upon the knowledge, needs, opinions, and perceptions of the informant. The information may not be accurate. For example, the informant may say the MPA is an ICRAN Demonstration Site when in fact it is an ICRAN Target Site. Results from each questioned are aggregated. Results and Discussion Below are the results from 28 different marine protected areas. Twenty-nine surveys were received. One park submitted two surveys and the answers were combined into one response. Results of the survey are presented in four broad categories and some of these data are presented in Tables 1-4 below: 1. General Information Regarding the MPAs (see Table 1 highlights): The MPAs represented four regions: Wider Caribbean (16), East Asia (eight), South Pacific (three), and East Africa (one) (see Table 1). MPAs were asked if they were ICRAN demonstration or target sites. Of the 28 MPAs 11 thought they were ICRAN demonstration sites, five ICRAN target sites, eight are not ICRAN sites, three do not know if they are ICRAN sites, and one is an ICRAN site. Fourteen MPAs said there is a zoning system in place and four said there is not one in place. Fourteen MPAs have a user fee system and 13 do not. Nineteen would like information on user fee systems and six said they do not want any information. Managers were asked if the MPA has a management plan, 20 have a plan and five do not. Managers were then asked that if they did not have a MPA management plan, did they intend to develop one, and five said yes and one said no. Managers were also asked if they had begun implementing the plan and 11 said no, 10 said yes, and two said partly. The following questions and responses were not given to or received by the eight East Asian MPAs. What ecosystems are found in the MPA, coral (20), mangroves (13), seagrass (10), and other (10), (MPA could put more than one response). Sixteen of the MPAs have full-time managers and three did not. Three MPAs have more than 20 staff, one has between 11-15, six have between 6-10, and seven have between 0-5. Nine MPAs use volunteers to help them. Most manage between 1-5 volunteers at a time, with one MPA stating they use volunteers. The annual operating budgets of two MPAs are between US$200,000 and $300,000, three have between US$100,000 and $199,000, four have between US$50,000 and $99,000, and four less than US$50,000. Most MPAs receive revenue from a mix of sources. Eight receive government funds, eight receive money from dive and mooring user fees, four MPAs receive money from grants and foundations, two identified revenue from non-governmental organizations, and two from international aid organizations. National governments (14), fisheries departments (11), local NGOs (11), and the local community (10) were all identified groups actively involved with MPA management, (MPA could put more than one response). Fifteen MPAs have mooring buoys installed, four do not and one has demarcation buoys. Five MPAs have 50, ,000 visitors a year, five have between 10,000 49,999, and five have less than 10,000. Five MPAs have between 0-4 dive operators using the waters, nine between 5-10, two between 11 15, two between 21-30, one between The three most popular tourist activities in the MPAs are snorkeling (17), diving (13), and recreational fishing (eight), (MPA could put more than one activity). 2. Identified Threats and Issues Facing the MPA (see Table 2 highlights): MPA managers perception of reef health range from excellent (one), good (15), fair (9), to bad (one). Our findings show that the three most critical factors threatening the sites, as perceived by the respondents, are over-fishing and destructive fishing (22 sites), followed by tourism impacts (14) and sewage and waste disposal (14). When asked who is responsible for these threats the respondents identified the local community (17), tourist sector (14), fishers (12), and the government (nine). Twenty-four MPAs said they have national laws protecting coral reefs and two said they have no laws. When asked if the MPAs are able to enforce laws and regulations 13 said yes, five said sometimes, and four said no. The people enforcing the laws are rangers (15), coast guard/police (five), community stakeholders (six), (MPA could put more than one response). Current issues that MPAs are addressing include community (11), sustainable tourism (10), and over-fishing (eight). Results show that the three biggest challenges sites face are financial support

3 (13), staff shortages (nine), and enforcement of regulations (four). Future issues MPA managers plan to work on include community (12), sustainable tourism (11), and sustainable marine resource management (seven). 3. Identified Outreach and Education for Key Stakeholders (see Table 3 highlights): The primary languages by the MPA staff and local community are English (13) and Spanish (three), the secondary languages identified are Spanish (six), English (two), Indonesia (two), and Jamaican Patios (two). The major stakeholder groups identified by the MPAs are: the tourism sector (24); fishers (19); and, local community (13), (MPA could put more than one response - 51 stakeholders were suggested in the tourism category ranging from dive operators to tourists to restaurant owners). The top five and outreach topics recommended include sustainable tourism (15), coral reef conservation (11), sustainable fishing (11), and monitoring (nine), (MPA could put more than one response). Best mediums for outreach materials to these groups of users are brochures (13), workshops (10), and signage (nine), (MPA could put more than one response). Twenty respondents said the community is supportive of the MPA, seven said some, and one said the community is not supportive. When asked why the community is not supportive, results show the community does not understand the purpose of the MPA (seven), the community does not see and benefit from having a MPA (six), the community is not able to fish (six), and that a MPA reduces their income (four). Outreach materials considered necessary to gain community support include topics on: the benefits of MPAs (13); biodiversity and coral reefs (10); and, regulations (nine). Information that would be useful for policymakers includes benefits of MPAs and marine reserves (10), sustainable fishing (seven), the value of coral reefs (6). 4. Identified Education and Training Needs for MPA Staff (see Table 4 highlights): The trainings most needed by the survey respondents included monitoring and data management and analysis (19), law and enforcement (13), and coral reef management (11). trainings identified include communications and public relations (nine), human resources (eight), project management and planning (seven), and conflict resolution (seven). Information that managers identified to improve their own skills and be more effective includes biological and socio-economic monitoring methods (seven), lessons learned/case studies on MPA management (six), and how to educate the community (five). Nineteen of the MPAs do ecological monitoring and two do not. Eight do socio-economic monitoring and nine do not. Ten parks said they have only collected ecological data once, four said they collected twice, and five MPAs said they collected more than three times. Some parks documented what types of data they are collecting and it is a wide range from number of coral species to biodiversity inventories. Three MPAs said they were using Reef Check methods and three are collecting water quality data. Socioeconomic monitoring is not as routine; two parks have collected it once and two parks twice and the remaining six did not know the answer. Regional Differences: Caribbean vs. East Asia Aggregating some of the results by region highlights the differences in the issues and threats that the MPAs must address, as well as the level of infrastructure and capacity of the MPA. Our findings show that in the Wider Caribbean, the three most critical threats facing the sites, as perceived by the respondents, are over-fishing and destructive fishing (11 sites), followed by tourism impacts (nine) and sewage and waste disposal (eight). East Asia reports over-fishing and destructive fishing (seven), sewage and waste disposal (five), and tourism (three) as the most critical threats. Both the Wider Caribbean and East Asia sites rank over-fishing and destructive fishing as the biggest threat to the coral reefs, however, East Asian MPAs perceive sewage and waste disposal as a bigger issue than tourism. This is reflected in the answers to the question regarding what stakeholders are responsible for these threats to coral reefs. When asked who is responsible for threats to the coral reef the respondents in the Wider Caribbean identified first the tourist sector (nine), then the local community (eight), and the government (seven). Whereas in East Asia, the respondents identified: first fishers (seven); then local people (six); and, finally the tourist sector (three). in the Wider Caribbean is well developed at most of the MPA sites where they receive thousands of visitors a year whereas in East Asia not all of the sites have tourist visitation but almost all of them have problems with destructive fishing and over-fishing. The trainings wanted by the survey respondents in the Wider Caribbean ranked first monitoring and data management and analysis (12), then law and enforcement (10), and communications and public relations (eight) and human resources (eight). In East Asia socio-economic issues, such as creating alternative livelihood programs for fishers (five), coral reef management (four), and increasing community participation in conservation (four). Wider Caribbean MPA managers want to hone their monitoring programs and to improve the enforcement of MPA regulations. They have larger staffs and need training on human resource issues. Parks in the Wider Caribbean most often have more infrastructure and resources available to them than MPAs in other regions. In East Asia managers are focused upon reducing fishing pressures, improving

4 their knowledge on coral reef management and working with the local community on conservation. Recommendations Countries depend upon the coral reef resources for the success of their national economies as well as the wellbeing of the local communities. In fact 116 million people live within 100 km of the coast and over 1 million tourists visit annually (Burke and Maidens, 2004). In order for the decline in the reef to stop and the economic loss prevented conservation efforts need to be prioritized and effective. MPAs are one tool that is known to help improve coral reef health and increase fish stocks. According to Reefs at Risk Caribbean a majority of the 285 Caribbean MPAs are ineffective. It is recommended that building capacity for marine resource managers is critical. Ways to do that include training, exchanging information, integrating socioeconomic and ecological monitoring, facilitating stakeholder participation, and create effective systems of governance. Based upon the results and analysis of this survey we see the following trends that we present as recommendations. We suggest seven areas that organizations and governments need to focus resources to build capacity for effective management and coral reef conservation: Increase Education and Participation in Reef Conservations: Education and outreach to the local community is essential for support of the MPA (Jameson, Tupper, and Ridley, 2002). Furthermore, active participation by key stakeholder groups in conservation and management that will build permanent conservation alliances between resource managers, businesses, and the local community will lead to a more effective MPA. Improve Law and Regulation Enforcement: Law and regulation enforcement is a big challenge for MPAs and there is a need to help managers improve the results of their efforts. Improve Programs: Managers want to develop routine ecological and socioeconomic monitoring programs that, over time, will help them make management decisions. Managers identified the need to hone their skills in quantitative data analysis as well as develop knowledge on socioeconomic modeling. Build Conservation Partnerships with the Tourist Sector: The key stakeholder groups are fishers and the tourist sector. Both of these groups depend upon the health of the reef for long-term success of their businesses. There is enormous potential to work with these groups, especially the tourist sector, to have them be conservation partners with the MPA and get actively involved with MPA management. For example marine recreation businesses can collect user fees, help patrol the waters, monitor, and do underwater cleanups. Teach Sustainable Fishing Techniques and Alternative Livelihood for Fishers: Destructive fishing and over-fishing is the most critical threat to the MPAs in all regions. Working with fishers to fish using methods that do not harm the coral reef is essential for long term sustainability of the coral reef. Furthermore, as fishing pressures increase fishers need to identify new non-extractive coral reef livelihoods such as sustainable tourism. Create Sustainable Revenue Streams: MPAs face many challenges based upon scarce resources. Creating sustainable financing streams, such as user fees and trust funds, is critical for the long-term success of the MPA. Increase MPA Manager and Staff Knowledge and Skills: Managers need skill development in project management/planning, human resources, and often times computer training. They want to share information and case studies of success. Many frameworks and methods to measure MPA effectiveness have emerged in the past few years (Pomeroy et. al., 2004; World Bank, 2004). These frameworks measure the degree to which MPAs are achieving their goals and objectives. Measuring effectiveness can improve conservation and management by creating accountability, assist with priority setting, and involving community stakeholders. Pilot projects; for example, in the Philippines, have been testing methods to measure MPA effectiveness as well as developing an evaluation system for MPAs (Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, Inc, 2004). These efforts address, examine, and compliment the recommendations above. Acknowledgements This research was done while at the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL). I would like to thank Connie Chiang, Mary Powers, Malden Miller, and Dixon Waruinge for providing feedback to the surveys and administering them to the MPA managers. In addition, I would like to thank CORAL volunteers, Adina Ringler and Ricardo Gonzalez, they helped with data entry and translation. CORAL would also thank ICRAN, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the United Nations Foundation for support of this research. References Bernard, H. Russell (1994) Research Methods in Anthropology: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Altimira Press, Walnut Creek, California.

5 Birkeland, Charles, Ed. (1997) Life and Death of Coral Reef. Chapman and Hall, New York. Burke, Lauretta and Jonathon Maidens (2004) Reefs at Rick in the Caribbean. World Resources Institute, Washington D.C. Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, Inc (2004) The MPA Report Guide and Management Rating System. Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation Inc., Cebu, Philippines. Halpern, Benjamin S (2000) The Impact of Marine Reserves: Do Reserves Work and Does Reserve Size Matter? Ecological Applications, 13(1) Supplement, 2003: S117-S137. Jameson, S. C., Tupper, M. H., and J.M. Ridley (2002) The Three Screen Doors: Can Marine 'Protected' Areas Be Effective? Marine Pollution Bulletin 44: Pomeroy, Robert S., Parks, John E., and Lani M. Watson (2004) How is Your MPA Doing? A Guidebook of Natural and Social Indicators for Evaluating MPA Management Effectiveness. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. Reaka-Kudla, M.L.. Wilson D.E, and E.O. Wilson, Eds (1997) Biodiversity II. Joseph Henry Press, Washington D.C. Spalding, Mark D, Ravilious, Corrinna, and Edmund Green (2001) The World Atlas of Coral Reefs. University of California Press, Berkeley, California. Wilkinson, Clive, Ed. (2002) Status of Coral Reefs of the World: Australian Institute of Marine Science, Queensland, Australia. World Bank (2004) Score Card to Assess Progress in Achieving Management Effectiveness Goals for Marine Protected Areas. World Bank, Washington D.C.

6 Table 1. General Information Regarding the MPAs Surveyed MPAs Zoning System in Place User Fee System Have a Management Plan Moorings Installed Number of Tourists Annually East Africa MPAs Malindi- Watamu National Reserve 10,000-49,999 tourists East Asia MPAs Apo Island Marine Sanctuary These two questions were not asked Bunaken National Marine Park in East Asia Gili Matra Marine Natural Recreation Park Koh Rong Marine Protected Area Komodo National Park Mu Koh Surin Marine National Park Ninh Thuan Province - Nui Chua Nature Reserve Sanya National Coral Reef Nature Reserve South Pacific MPAs American Samoa Commutiy Based Management Program 0 Jaluit Atoll Conservation Area 0-9,999 tourists Rock Islands Management Area 10,000-49,999 tourists Wider Caribbean MPAs Anguilla National Marine Parks 50, ,000 tourists Bonaire National Marine Park 10,000-49,999 tourists Caye Caulker Marine Reserve A few 10,000-49,999 tourists el Parque Nacional Del Este 50, ,000 tourists Fisheries Department Dominica Folkestone Park and Marine Reserve 50, ,000 tourists Glover's Reef Marine Reserve 0-9,999 tourists Hol Chan Marine Reserve 10,000-49,999 tourists Montego Bay Marine Park some Parque Nacional Archipielago Los Roques (PLR) 50, ,000 tourists Parque Nacional Natural Old Providence, 3 0-9,999 tourists Port Honduras Marine Reserve 0-9,999 tourists Portland Bight Protected Area 0-9,999 tourists Reserva de la Biosphera Sian Ka'an, 32 50, ,000 tourists Soufriere Marine Management Area - merged 2 surveys responses into 1 (only Park that had to staff fill out). Soufriere Scotts Head = t Answered

7 Table 2. Identified Threats and Issues Facing the MPAs Surveyed MPAs Perception of Reef Health Most Critical Threats* Able to Enforce Laws Current Issues* Biggest Challenges* East Africa MPAs Malindi- Watamu National Reserve Fair Over-fishing and destructive fishing; ; Overfishing; Financial support; Staff shortages East Asia MPAs Apo Island Marine Sanctuary Good Bunaken National Marine Park Good Over-fishing and destructive fishing; ; Sewage and waste disposal Financial support Gili Matra Marine Natural Bad Over-fishing and destructive fishing Enforcement of regulations Recreation Park Koh Rong Marine Protected Good Over-fishing and destructive fishing Area Komodo National Park Good Over-fishing and destructive fishing; Sewage and waste disposal Over-fishing Enforcement of regulations Mu Koh Surin Marine National Park Fair Over-fishing and destructive fishing; ; Sewage and waste disposal Financial support Ninh Thuan Province - Nui Chua Nature Reserve Sanya National Coral Reef Nature Reserve Good Over-fishing and destructive fishing Enforcement of regulations Fair Over-fishing and destructive fishing; Sewage and waste disposal South Pacific MPAs American Samoa Commutiy Based Management Program Good Over-fishing and destructive fishing; Sewage and waste disposal Jaluit Atoll Conservation Area Excellent Over-fishing and destructive fishing Rock Islands Management Good Over-fishing and destructive fishing; Area Wider Caribbean MPAs Anguilla National Marine Parks Fair Over-fishing and destructive fishing; ; Sewage and waste disposal Over-fishing Financial support; Staff shortages Bonaire National Marine Park Good Over-fishing and destructive fishing Caye Caulker Marine Reserve Good Over-fishing and destructive fishing; ; Sewage and waste disposal Sometimes Financial support ; Overfishing Financial support; Staff shortages

8 el Parque Nacional Del Este Good Over-fishing and destructive fishing; ; Sewage and waste disposal Fisheries Department Dominica Folkestone Park and Marine Fair Sewage and waste disposal Reserve Glover's Reef Marine Reserve Fair ; Sewage and waste disposal Sometimes Financial support; Staff shortages Hol Chan Marine Reserve Fair Over-fishing and destructive fishing; ; Montego Bay Marine Park Fair Over-fishing and destructive fishing Over-fishing; Parque Nacional Archipielago Los Roques (PLR) Parque Nacional Natural Old Providence Good Over-fishing and destructive fishing; Sometimes ; Good ; sewage and waste disposal ; Overfishing; Port Honduras Marine Reserve Good Over-fishing and destructive fishing; Financial support; Staff shortages Financial support Financial support; Enforcement of regulations Financial support; Staff shortages Portland Bight Protected Area Fair Over-fishing and destructive fishing Sometimes Over-fishing Reserva de la Biosphera Sian Good Over-fishing and destructive fishing; ; Financial support Ka'an ; Sewage and waste disposal Soufriere Marine Management Area - merged 2 surveys responses into 1 (only Park that had to staff fill out). Good Over-fishing and destructive fishing; Sewage and waste disposal Soufriere Scotts Head Sometimes Over-fishing Financial support = t Answered *Park Managers usually wrote more than one answer. The data presented here shows only the most common responses. For more detailed information on each MPA please contact the author.

9 Table 3. Identified Outreach and Education for Key Stakeholders Table 4. Identified Education and Training Needs for MPA Staff Surveyed MPAs Major Stakeholder Groups * Outreach and Education materials Wanted * East Africa MPAs Malindi- Watamu National Reserve East Asia MPAs Apo Island Marine Sanctuary Bunaken National Marine Park Gili Matra Marine Natural Recreation Park Sector; Fishers; Local Sector; Fishers; Local Sector; Fishers; Local Fishers; Local Supportive Trainings Wanted Ecological Data Collection and data analysis Sustainable tourism; Coral reef conservation Coral reef conservation; Sustainable tourism; Coral reef conservation Koh Rong Marine Protected Area Sector; Fishers Sustainable tourism; ; Komodo National Park Mu Koh Surin Marine National Park Ninh Thuan Province - Nui Chua Nature Reserve Sanya National Coral Reef Nature Reserve South Pacific MPAs American Samoa Commutiy Based Management Program Sector; Local Sector; Local Sustainable tourism; Coral reef conservation Sustainable tourism; Coral reef conservation; Some Coral reef ecosystem conservation and management Law and enforcement; Coral reef management; Conflict resolution Coral reef ecosystem conservation and management; Project management and planning Some Law and enforcement; Coral reef management; Project management and planning Sector; Fishers and data analysis; Public relations; Project management and planning Sector Sustainable tourism; Some and data analysis Local and data analysis Jaluit Atoll Conservation Area Local Coral reef conservation and data analysis Rock Islands Management Area Sector; Local and data analysis; Law and enforcement Wider Caribbean MPAs Anguilla National Marine Parks Sector Sustainable tourism; and data analysis; Law and enforcement; Public relations Socioeconomic Data Collection Bonaire National Marine Park Sector Some Law and enforcement; Coral reef management; Public relations

10 Caye Caulker Marine Reserve Sector Sustainable tourism; and data analysis; Law and enforcement el Parque Nacional Del Este Sector; Fishers Sustainable tourism; Coral reef conservation; Fisheries Department Dominica Sector: Fishers Coral reef conservation; and data analysis; Law and enforcement; Coral reef management and data analysis; Law and enforcement; Coral reef management; Human Resources; Conflict resolution Folkestone Park and Marine Reserve Sector; Fishers Human resources Glover's Reef Marine Reserve Sector Some and data analysis; Law and enforcement; Public relations; Conflict resolution Hol Chan Marine Reserve Sector; Fishers Sustainable tourism; Coral reef conservation Montego Bay Marine Park Sector; Fishers Sustainable tourism; Parque Nacional Archipielago Los Roques (PLR) Sector; Fishers Sustainable tourism; and data analysis; Law and enforcement; Human resources; Project management and planning; Conflict resolution Some Coral reef ecosystem conservation and management; Human resources; Project management and planning and data analysis; Public relations Parque Nacional Natural Old Providence Port Honduras Marine Reserve Sector; Fishers; Local Sector; Fishers; Local Sustainable tourism; ; ; and data analysis; coral reef management; Public relations; Project management and planning and data analysis; Law and enforcement; Public relations; Human resources; Conflict resolution Portland Bight Protected Area Sector; Local Law and enforcement Reserva de la Biosphera Sian Ka'an Fishers Sustainable ; Coral and data analysis; Public reef conservation; relations; Human resources; Project management and planning Soufriere Marine Management Area - merged 2 surveys responses into 1 (only Park that had to staff fill out). Sector; Fishers Sustainable tourism and data analysis; coral reef management; Human resources Soufriere Scotts Head Sector; Local Coral reef conservation; Some and data analysis; Law and enforcement; Coral reef management; Human resources; Project management and planning; Conflict resolution = t Answered = t Answered *Park managers usually wrote more than one answer. The data presented here shows only the most common responses. For more detailed information on each MPA please contact the author.