Perceptions and Attitudes Regarding Marine Reserves: A Comparison of Stakeholder Groups in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) developed a zoning plan as
part of its overall management plan, fully implemented as of 1997. The plan
created several closed areas or harvest refugia in which consumptive activities
are prohibited. This research reports results of surveys that we conducted with
members of three stakeholder groups in the Florida Keys: commercial "shers,
dive operators, and members of local environmental groups. Surveys requested
responses regarding the information sources individuals tapped when learning of
the zoning plan and the FKNMS; their degree of public participation; their
perceptions and acceptance of the zoning strategy and the process of its
design; and the expected outcomes of the zoning strategy. Many responses show
significant differences among the three groups. Fishers felt highly alienated
from the process of zone designation and displayed a sense of anger and
powerlessness with respect to what they considered to be an attempt to exclude
their group from the harvest refugia. Dive operators demonstrated the highest
levels of participation in the designation process, but were concerned that
refugia regulations could limit their activities in the future. Members of
environmental groups were the strongest supporters of the harvest refugia
concept and the FKNMS. This research suggests numerous ways in which marine
resource managers could improve their public outreach and information
dissemination strategies when developing future harvest refugia and marine
protected areas. We have conducted comprehensive surveys of different users of
a newly designated marine reserve in the Florida Keys in order to (1)
understand the social and economic interests and characteristics of the groups,
(2) assess the groups' opinions/perceptions of the harvest refugia and their
design and development, (3) elucidate the obstacles faced by marine reserve
managers during the designation process, and (4) recommend strategies that
managers might consider when working with user groups and the public on reserve
design and development.

Spatial Data Organization Information - Indirect Spatial Reference: FKNMS
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Marine protected
areas marine reserves closed areas harvest refugia no
take zones Replenishment Reserves
Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs) Wildlife Management Areas Special-use Areas

Existing Management Areas Key Largo Sambos Dry Tortugas heavily used shallow
reefs
Spatial Reference Information - Horizontal
Coordinate System Definition - Geodetic
Model: