Integrating fishermen’s perception : A key success for the projected Marine Protected Area “ Jabal Moussa” | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries | ||||
| Article 20, Volume 26, Issue 1, January and February 2022, Page 327-339 PDF (669.27 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2022.217568 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Author | ||||
| Mohamed Rida Derdabi et al. | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been created all over the world to preserve biodiversity and manage human activities such as fishing and tourism. Even though they are a result of human decision-making processes aiming to change human behavior, many MPAs have neglected the human dimension and therefore failed to accomplish their goals. Thus, taking into account local community perceptions would undoubtedly contribute to MPAs success and durability. This paper has been focused on assessing fishermen’s perception of the projected marine protected area “Jabal Moussa” situated in northern Morocco and overlooking the strait of Gibraltar. The survey was conducted with 99 fishermen in the three fishing sites of this area. Results showed reluctance towards the idea of implementing a MPA. The majority of fishermen illustrated that the implementation of this MPA would lead to a decrease in catches and an increase in costs and charges if some fishing grounds were closed. Compensatory measurements would be an alternative to this loss. Fishermen affirmed that the projected MPA should be managed conjointly with local cooperatives and associations according to a co-management approach to reach its goals. This approach could avoid conflicts likely to occur during the creation and post-creation of the future MPA. For the success of the projected MPA, authorities/fishermen meetings should be organized to discuss the fears, benefits, incentives, expectations, mode of governance, zonation, etc… In this context, it is possible to move towards better management of the MPA, balancing the conservation of the marine ecosystem and the well-being of fishermen. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Marine protected area; Jabal Moussa; Fishermen’s perception; Co-management | ||||
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