Trade-off analysis for marine protected area management

This paper outlines an approach to natural resource management that incorpo rates multiple objectives for protected area management within a decision-m aking framework. Both regulators and other major stakeholders are directly incorporated into the approach to enhance decision-making processes. We cal l this approach trade-off analysis. The approach uses a framework based on multi-criteria analysis (MCA) but involves stakeholders at all stages. This holistic approach is appropriate for multiple use, complex systems such as marine protected areas (MPAs), where many different users are apparently i n conflict and where linkages and feedbacks between different aspects of th e ecosystem and economy exist. The paper applies trade-off analysis to the case of Buccoo Reef Marine Park (BRMP) in Tobago. Stakeholder analysis is u ndertaken, and social, economic and ecological criteria identified. The imp acts of four different development scenarios are evaluated for these criter ia. Stakeholders are asked to weight different criteria and then the outcom es of different stakeholder weightings in the MCA are used to explore diffe rent management options. For BRMP, the MCA suggests consensus around develo pment options characterised as limited tourism development for the area sur rounding the park in association with the implementation of complementary e nvironmental management. The approach has been used to enhance stakeholder involvement in decision-making and develop consensus-based approaches to ma nagement of the MPA. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. Ail rights reserved.