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PEOPLE IN MICRO BUSINESSES & THE

BLUE BAY MARINE PARK:

AN ANALYSIS OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES ANDPERCEIVED BENEFITS

Authors:

B. Backlund Rambaree,P.Z.R. Davis, C. Poonian and

K. Rambaree

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The Context

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) recognised as an important

component of coastal management Effective MPA governance involves a consideration of the

relationships between marine and terrestrial environments and thehuman stakeholders

Focus on Blue Bay Marine Park (BBMP) One of two Marine Parks in Mauritius

National Park since 1997, 353 ha MPA since 2000, Wetland of International Importance(RAMSAR site) since 2008

Goal marine conservation: the long-term protection and conservationof marine biodiversity and ecosystems for sustainable use andmaximisation of economic and social benefits derived from the

coastal zoneMinistry of Agro Industry & Fisheries (2008) Fisheries The Marine Conservation Division. Accessed fromhttp://www.gov.mu/portal/site/fisheries/menuitem.40a3cb904590624e7f7a98ada0208a0c/

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Rationale

BBMP popular for tourism and recreation

Micro businesses provide a livelihood strategy for a

number of employees and owners in the area

Promoting micro businesses forms part of govt strategy for

alleviating poverty (empowerment programme)

Important to study micro businesses in Blue Bay for

understanding of compatible development of local

livelihoods and marine environments This research allows for scientific exploration of the

realities and challenges of human-centred sustainable

development in the context of effective integratedcoastal zone management

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Methodology

Quantitative methodology: interviewer administered

questionnaire (in Creole)

Sample & procedure:

Convenience strategy to access the largest possible number of respondents

Census approach resulted in 59 interviews with people in micro businesses

(owners and employees) operating in Blue Bay

Measures:

Knowledge, attitudes and perceived benefits were measured using a Likertscale (5-point scale ranging from 1=none to 5=very much)

ANOVA used for testing significance

Social research ethical guidelines were followed (consent,voluntary participation, anonymised responses)

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Findings

Research Participants Background (n = 59):

F i s he r s 2 8%

F o o d a n d s n a c k 2 0 %W a te r s p o r ts 1 9 %

O c c u p a t i o n

B e a c h h a w k e rs 9 %

M a l e 9 0 %S e x

F e m a l e 1 0 %

1 8 - 2 9 y e a r s 2 7 %

3 0 - 5 9 y e a r s 6 6 %

A g e

6 0 + 7 %

< R s 1 0 ,0 0 0 / m o n t h 6 1 %H H I n co m e< R s 1 5 ,0 0 0 / m o n t h 7 9 %

< R s 2 ,0 0 0 / m o n t h 4 5 %I n c o m e B lu e B a y

< R s 1 0 ,0 0 0 / m o n t h 9 3 %

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Knowledge

Information received on BBMP

20% None, Very little 20%

Why is a Marine Park needed?

51% preserve/protect nature, 28% Attracttourists/visitors

Specific knowledge: (Differences between groups are significant at 0.05 (ANOVA))

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Attitudes

Importance given to restrictions: 39% much, 31% v. much, difference btw fishers and others

Views on the state of BBMP: 1= Deteriorated a lot, 5= improved a lot (Differences betweengroups are significant at 0.05 (ANOVA))

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Perceived Benefits

Benefits personally obtained:

Perceptions on benefits of other groups:

The general perception is that hotels, followed by water sports benefit fairly muchand fishers fairly little

Participation in decision making concerning BBMP:

84.7% Never, 11.9% Sometimes, 3.4% Often

Conflict among businesses: 48% yes 60% said among water sports, Reason: 82% competition

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Conclusion

Compatible development of marine life and micro businesses in

BBMP is not evident due to: Lack of provision of information on BBMP for those working in the area

Lack of involvement of micro businesses as stakeholders in BBMP

management The lack of compatible or sustainable development is striking in the

case of fishers who are excluded from both management and benefits

A more human centred sustainable development with focus on localemployers and employees is needed in BBMP if economic and social

benefits are to be maximised while protecting the environment

This is particularly important given that micro business is supportedas a livelihood strategy (e.g. empowerment programme)

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THANK YOU

Acknowledgement:

The researchers acknowledge the assistance of

the following persons in data collection and

data entry:

Kurly Beeharree, Preety Boudou, Galle

Perrine, Rachna Rajni Rajkomar, Karine

Sinneya and Paul